With the start of a new year energizing us into making health and wellness resolutions, now is a good time to also think about how you can keep your pets healthy and happy in the upcoming cottage season. It can be scary to be caught off-guard without a plan if your cottage time is interrupted by a pet medical emergency, whether it involves your dog having an unfortunate encounter with a porcupine or something more serious.
Be prepared for emergency situations by getting in touch with a local vet in your area to find out what the routine is for after-hour pet emergencies, and keep their number handy in case something does go wrong. It’s also important to have it accessible and on hand if you have renters.
For example, in the Parry Sound region, Georgian Animal Hospital, Parry Sound Animal Hospital, and Cottage Country Animal Clinic rotate in providing after-hours care through an answering service from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. that will relay your message to an on-call vet. And if your pet needs help in the middle of the night, Huronia Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Barrie is your answer, providing 24-hour emergency pet care.
Even if you don’t have your own Fido at home, you can also start the new year with an intention to help animals by donating to local animal shelters. If you’re in the midst of a Marie Kondo-inspired tidying spree of your home or cottage, you may have run into the question of how to tackle an overflowing linen closet. While old towels, bedsheets, and blankets cluttering up your home may no longer spark joy for you, the idea of sending bags upon bags of these items to a landfill isn’t very appealing.
Luckily, those items can be put to good use by helping out our furry friends at animal rescue organizations. Melissa Kosowan, the Associate Director of Communications of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, says that linens are often on a shelter’s donation wish list because they are key to the care and comfort of animals. “From drying animals after a bath, giving them a soft place to sleep as they await adoption, or making animals feel secure during transportation, towels and linens are essential to shelter life”.
So go ahead and start your spring cleaning by sorting through your cottage’s old beach towels and flannel sheets. By donating your old linens to animal rescue shelters, you’ll be helping dogs, cats, and more stay warm and cozy while awaiting adoption. Visit ontariospca.ca to find a shelter near you and to learn more about how to help animals in need.
Parry Sound Animal Hospital: 705-746-5271
Cottage Country Animal Clinic: 705-746-4444
Georgian Animal Hospital: 705-746-8178
Huronia Veterinary Emergency Clinic: 705-722-0377
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