Another Reminder For Safe Travel With Your Pets
With the Memorial Day weekend fast upon us, many of you will be traveling to visit friends and family.
I would like to remind you again of some thoughts for you and your pets.
The question will arise…do we take the pets or not?
EzineArticles.com and author CS Swarens, has previously offered the following useful tips.
..."Determine if Your Pet is Really Ready to Travel
Before you begin making vacation plans that included your four-legged friend, you need to make an honest assessment of your pet's temperament. Is your pet really ready to travel? If your pet has any of these conditions, you should probably send it to a pet sitter or kennel while you are traveling:
• Your pet is very young
• Your pet is very old
• Your pet is ill
• Your pet is pregnant
• Your pet is recovering from surgery
If your pet is extremely hyper, suffers from anxiety, or is otherwise easily upset, taking it on vacation may not be a very good idea.
Get a Clean Bill of Health
Even if your pet seems to be perfectly healthy, you should still take a trip to the veterinarian's office before you head out on vacation. Discuss your travel plans with your veterinarian and ask about any risks you should be concerned about. In addition, you should discuss what you should do if any of these risks occur, such as if your pet becomes carsick or restless while traveling.
You should also make certain your pet's vaccinations are up to date and you should obtain a rabies certificate to take with you while on the trip. If you are traveling by air, you will be required to present this certificate. Even if you are not going by plane, having this on hand will help you avoid potential heartache if your pet nips at someone while traveling. You might also want to consider having your veterinarian insert a microchip that will help you locate your pet if you become separated.
Purchasing a Pet Carrier
With your pet properly prepared to travel, you now need to purchase a pet carrier. The carrier needs to be sturdy and secure so your pet cannot escape. It also needs to be well-ventilated and roomy enough for your pet to be able to stand up and turn around. Be sure to allow your pet to spend time in the carrier before the trip. That way, your pet will be used to the carrier and, hopefully, will be comfortable with having to spend time inside of it. The carrier should also have handles on the outside. That way, if someone else needs to handle the carrier, there is no risk of that person getting bitten.
Be certain to print your pet's name on the outside of the carrier with a permanent marker. You should also write your name, your address and your phone number. In addition to writing your personal address, you should also write your destination so you and your pet can be reunited as quickly as possible if you are separated. After all, the last thing you want is to be worried about your pet when you should be enjoying a memorable vacation together..."
Good advice, if you chose to travel with your pets.
They are your responsibility…
Microchip Did Not Save This Pet
I have written before about the need and usefulness of microchips for your pets, here and here.
They are used to assist you and others in identifying and locating lost pets.
Some times though, even common sense will not overcome this technological advancement.
A family in Naples, Florida recently lost their pet when a local veternarian failed, for whatever reason, to search and scan for a microchip when an an unidentifiable pet was presented to his facility.
The sad story is as follows:
"Katie's Story:
I was adopted by Maureen, Victor, Matthew and Jamie when I was 4 months old. I had a wonderful life. We traveled alot, went camping, boating, horseback riding and walking. Maureen and I could walk for miles together. My favorite was going for car rides! And I didn't care where we went. I met alot of friends along the way. I had a litter of 5 puppies, one looked just like me, her name was Minnie Me.
I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer when I was 7 yrs old, my Doctor's said I still had a long life ahead of me. I didn't even have to take medicine on a regular basis.
Maureen made sure I had a Microchip, OUCH! she said it would help me get home if I ever got lost.
Well, I did get lost, on 11/30/08, I wondered out of the back door, just to see who has been walking by! I was found shortly after by a Neighbor. They had 2 Black Labs. They took me in and the next day they took me to their Vet.
The Vet told them that I had Breast Cancer and Cataracts, but didn't check me for a MICROCHIP?? So, they took me back to their house.
I wish they would just call Maureen, I know she is looking for me!!
The next day they took me back to the Vet and they decided to put me to sleep!!
WAIT!!!! My Birthday is next month, I am going to be 14 yrs old! Jamie was 3yrs old when I met her, she is about to Graduate High School, I HAVE A MICROCHIP! Someone PLEASE scan my Microchip! I want to go home to my family. They must be so worried about me!
Well, the Vet DID NOT scan my Microchip and they are going to Euthanize me. I just want to go home.
Maureen will tell the rest of the story........."
Unfortunately, Katie was euthanized less than 48 hour after she went missing from her home.
The family has now established a non-profit organization in Katie’s memory to improve the awareness of microchipping.
You can visit the site of Katie’s Story here and become involved with the organization if you desire.
We know that microchipping your pet is not infallible, but it is still a protective option that you should use.
Include your Veterinarian in your Estate Plans for Your Pet
Certainly, your own family members, the potential trustee and the potential caretakers of your pet must all be in accord with your plans and wishes.
Your estate attorney and financial planer also need to be involved to make sure that your documents conform to the legal and financial standards.
But, don’t forget to meet with your Veterinarian.
Very few individuals have the same insight about the health and well being of your animal as your pet’s own Vet.
A discussion with him or her during your estate planning process can assist greatly.
Medical records and the future potential needs of your pets can be outlined for the caretakers.
Special dietary schedules or exercise or medication routines can be easily established for future reference.
You and your Vet can discuss the potential time line for the duration of the life of your pet. This can provide some guidelines for the total costs that will be necessary for the care of your pet and the necessary funding of the Pet Trust.
Your Vet can also play an integral role in the transfer of physical custody of your pet to the caretaker on a temporary or permanent basis and is indispensable when the final arrangements must be made for inevitable death of your pet.
Talk to your Vet on behalf of your pet.
It is a necessary part of your overall estate plan..
You are responsibile for your Pet's medical care
If you are like most pet owners in the United States, you treat your pet more like a family member than an animal.
If you are willing to allow your pet to sit with you on your sofa (or lap) to watch television, eat from your plate during meals and sleep in your bed, you are among the majority of pet lovers.
Don’t forget then, that these same pets need your protection and help in other areas and many individuals have prepared Medical Power of Attorneys for their Pets to be used in an emergency situation. Most pet owners regularly and confidently use their local veterinary for medical care and prevention.
However, one couple in Naples, Florida is claiming that a routine trip to the veterinary has turned into a legal nightmare. Naples couple sues vet.
Nancy Hamerling of Naples says she took her 5-year-old Maltese dog (Jake) to a vet for an examination and rabies shot and never got him back.
Three days later, she learned that Jake had been put up for adoption and was gone. Employees at the clinic, however, contend Jake never had an appointment and their office was used only as a place to surrender the dog to a nonprofit adoption group that works with one of its employees.
Hamerling and her husband, Robert, have sued the clinic to get Jake back. A woman, who works at the clinic, said that the Hamerlings brought their dog in and asked how to place him up for adoption because they were moving to a condo that did not allow pets; the Hamerlings deny they’re moving.
According to the Principles of veterinary Medical ethics of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Veterniary Medical Ethics, the veterinarian-client-patient relationship is the basis for interaction among veterinarians, their clients, and their patients…exists when all of the following conditions have been met:
The veterinarian has assumed responsibility for making clinical judgments regarding the health of the animal(s) and the need for medical treatment, and the client has agreed to follow the veterinarian’s instructions.
The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal(s) to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal(s). This means that the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal(s) by virtue of an examination of the animal(s), or by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal(s) are kept.
The veterinarian is readily available, or has arranged for emergency coverage, for follow-up evaluation in the event of adverse reactions or the failure of the treatment regimen.
Other ethical policies of the AVMA state that veterinary medical records are an integral part of veterinary care and that the records must comply with the standards established by state and federal law. The medical records are the property of the practice and the practice owner. The original records must be retained by the practice for the period required by statute. Ethically, the information within veterinary medical records is considered privileged and confidential. It must not be released except by court order or consent of the owner of the patient. Veterinarians are obligated to provide copies or summaries of medical records when requested by the client and should secure a written release to document that request.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society , the best way to find a good veterinarian is to ask people who have the same approach to pet care as you. Start with a recommendation from a friend, neighbor, animal shelter worker, dog trainer, groomer, boarding kennel employee, or pet sitter. Check the Yellow Pages under "Veterinarians" and "Animal Hospitals," where important information may also be provided about hours, services, and staff. You can also search for veterinarians in your area at Pets 911.
You should treat a trip to the veterinarian, just as you would a trip to any other physician, whether for you or another family member. You may learn to rely on their judgment and trust them.
But understand your responsibility to your pets regarding their diagnosis, medications and treatment. You need to speak on their behalf.
Medical care is just another piece of the puzzle that completes the picture of the planning for your pet’s future
A Will...a way...to protect your Pets?
A will is a legal document that contains your instructions and wishes as to how to distribute your assets and property after your death. The person who writes a will is called a testator. The will can also appoint individual’s that can serve, if necessary, as a guardian for your minor children and nominate a personal representative to carry out the instructions of your will. Each state has minimal legal requirements that must be followed for a will to be valid and accepted by the courts. But generally, the will must be made by a competent adult, it must be in writing and signed by the testator and witnessed by a least two other individuals and a notary.
You can include a clause for your pets in your will with the appropriate language, but you need to be fully aware of the possible limitations and drawbacks. In some circumstances, the preparation of a pet trust is more appropriate in your estate planning for your pet. Today the majority of states accept and recognize some form of a pet trust.
