1. Teach an old dog new tricks.

Sign up for an obedience class or commit to learning a new trick every couple months. Training your pet is fun for the both of you and is an easy way to strengthen your bond. It also keeps their mind sharp and prevents destructive behavior caused by boredom!

2. Get some fresh air.

Go for a scenic walk several times a week. If your dog is young and healthy, walk for about an hour at a time. If your pet is older or has health restrictions like joint problems or heart disease, only go for 20-30 minutes at a time. Exercise is healthy for every pet as long as you don’t push them too hard, and letting them sniff along the way is great enrichment for their minds.

3. Make it count.

Use actual measuring cups for food and follow the instructions on the bag. If you’re still not sure if you’re feeding the right amount, ask your pet’s doctor for a recommendation. There are so many different diets for our pets, you are bound to have some questions that we are happy to answer for you.

4. License and registration, please!

If your pet isn’t microchipped, go do it! More than ⅓ of lost pets returned to owners because of their microchip. If your pet is already microchipped, have their chip scanned to make sure it’s still working and that your veterinarian has the number on file. Many pets are brought to an animal hospital when they are found and if they happen to be brought to your pet’s doctor then their staff can call you right away. Finally, make sure to regularly check all ID tags your pet is wearing. A worn out or illegible tag is useless if your pet is ever found by a Good Samaritan and they can’t read your phone number!

5. Create a disaster plan.

Fires, earthquakes, floods— it’s terrifying to imagine these things happening, but they are a fierce reality for Californians. Thousands of families are forced to evacuate their homes every year from natural disasters. Many of them leave their beloved companions behind, not because they are cruel or don’t love their pet, but because they were unprepared and had no other option.