Fun Projects You Can Do To Help!

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Get the word out! Help the shelter staff get the word out to new adoptees about proper pet care. Get gallon size Ziploc® bags and fill them with cat, dog gerbil, hamster, rabbit, guinea pig, horse, sheep, goat, duck ferret, rats, iguana wish list items. Draw a picture of the animal and where it is living on the font of the bag in permanent Magic Marker® and write a one page story about proper pet care for this animal. Put all these items in the bags and bring it to Paula Parisi in the Humane Education Department. I will review the facts and then give these fun packets to the Adoption Counselors to give to new pet owners to help teach them about proper pet care. Here are some ideas for Pet Care facts to put in the bags:

• You cat and dog need an ID tag
• Love and attention are very important to all pets
• Cats need at least 10 minutes of playtime daily from their owners
• Learn what your dog is trying to say to you through body language which make you and your dog better companions
• Cats stay healthier and live longer indoors
• Dogs like to be walked — midday dog walkers are one answer
• Rabbits like to be with their people indoors
• Some rabbits like to use cat litter, others do not
• Rabbit-proof your house since they need to chew and chew
• Rats make very good, friendly pets
• Cats and dogs need to be 8 weeks old before they are adopted
• Cedar shavings are not safe as bedding for small rodents

You can also get pet care facts from the library, Animal Planet TV shows or books you have at home.

Have fun with your projects! If you have a question or other ideas, please contact Paula Parisi, Humane Education Coordinator at 772-29221, ext. 113. If you complete a project, call and tell us about it! We want to know what you are doing to help the animals at the NHSCPA, your own pets, the animals in your neighborhood or in the world in general.