Happily ever after just isn’t in the cards for some relationships.

It’s sad but true. And when a relationship ends, splitting up your belongings might also entail sharing custody of a beloved pet.

If you find yourself in this difficult situation, it’s best to approach it with both compassion and logic.

Managing a Schedule

Keep in mind that pets like routine. If there is a big change in your household — like someone moving out — your pet is going to be stressed out.

Deciding on a custody schedule should be done with your pet’s best interest in mind. Slowly introduce them to the new routine and give them time to adjust. If you begin by trading Rusty every other day, the confused dog may develop behavioral issues from the anxiety.

If your breakup was amicable enough that you can spend time at your ex’s home to provide comfort and reassurance to Rusty, that may help him adjust to your absence. From there, consider having Rusty stay with your ex for a week and with you the next week.

If Rusty doesn’t develop any concerning behavioral issues, then you may find more flexibility in the custody schedule.

Troubleshooting Complications

Even if you and your ex are both eager to make Rusty as happy as possible, problems are bound to arise.

• Living in the same town as your ex would be ideal for ease of sharing custody, but that often isn’t the case. Depending on the distance, splitting time with your pet may be difficult — if not impossible.
• Let’s face it: Not all pets like going for car rides. If Rusty isn’t a fan of vehicular travel, make alternative plans to get some visiting hours in.
• Shared expenses are a big topic. Who will take Rusty to vet appointments? Who will foot the bill for grooming and boarding? Make these decisions early to avoid confusion later on.
• If possible, try to keep going to the same vet, groomer and kennel for Rusty as you did before the breakup. Also, take the dog to the same dog park, day care and pet supply store.

There are a lot of potential issues that can occur when trying to share custody of your pet after a breakup, but if you approach each with your pet’s health and happiness in mind, you’ll have a better chance of succeeding.

Keeping Your Pet Happy and Healthy

If you’re thinking about sharing custody, then Rusty has to be your number 1 priority. Think about his comfort and happiness.

Consider splitting Rusty’s toys, bedding and other belongings with your ex so he has familiar objects in each of your homes. Make sure that you are both feeding your pets the same brand of food and treats, and using the same brand of kitty litter.

When you and your ex are together with Rusty, try to keep your conversations light and pleasant. Pets are sensitive and can become scared or anxious when their people are fighting and yelling.

Follow up with your ex about routine vet care. Don’t just assume that Rusty has been seen for his annual checkup. His health and well-being are very important, especially if he’s going through a stressful situation. And don’t hesitate to take him to the vet if he begins acting anxious or seems ill. He may be reacting to the sudden change in routine.

Did you know they made an entire rom-com on this very topic?:

Working It Out

Not every pet is a candidate for shared custody. And not every couple will want to do it. Sometimes the answer is easy: One of you lives in pet-friendly housing and the other doesn’t. But it’s not always that simple.

When you get a pet as a couple, who keeps that pet when the relationship ends? If you are both willing to try shared custody, that’s the first step to making a more solid decision down the road.

Maybe Rusty prefers to stay with one person over the other. Maybe your lifestyle changes after the breakup, and you realize that you’re not the best home for Rusty. Or maybe you and your ex get back together and Rusty can stay with you both.

But whatever the circumstances, always do what’s best for your pet.

When it comes to hunting, people tend to fall decisively on one side of the line or the other; they either do it and they love it, or they don’t care for it at all. Regardless of what each of us thinks about it, we must keep some key things in mind for our pets’ well-being.

Hunting season happens in just about every part of the United States, and in more rural areas, it likely goes on regularly outside of those clearly defined dates. While we may not individually condone it, we must prepare for it because the consequences of carelessness could be fatal to our pets.

“I experience this conundrum every year,” Dr. Brian Collins, head of the Community Service Practice at Cornell University’s Hospital for Animals, told the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. “I worry about safety in the woods during hunting season. For people whose animals go into the woods or live close to hunting areas, there are several things that can help minimize the risks the season brings.”

Know the Dates

For those of us who don’t hunt, there are several different dates to know revolving around hunting. These dates are determined on a state level. To find out what dates the various hunting levels are allowed, visit your state’s official website. As an example, in Massachusetts, the 2017 dates are:

• Archery season: October 16–November 25
• Shotgun Season: November 27–December 9
• Primitive firearms season: December 11–December 30

Hunters in Massachusetts are also prohibited from hunting on Sundays, restricted to daylight hours only and must be licensed. However, regulations and dates vary by state.

Leashes On

This is not the time of year to allow your pet to run off-leash. Even the most well-trained dog in the world has a bad day or moment that causes them to disregard a return command.

Adding to that, wild animals are just as intriguing to your pets as they are to the hunters, meaning if there is a deer, water fowl or other animal in the area, both pet and hunter will be drawn to it.

For dogs who were bred to hunt, the lure of these wild animals may be irresistible. As a dog walker, I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen dogs being walked off-leash who refused to return to their walker when commanded. Don’t risk it.

Location

Stay out of secluded, wooded areas if at all possible. Stick to walking on safe roads or down at the beach if there is one nearby. Even wooded areas that are close to neighborhoods may not be entirely safe. Hunters have rules they are supposed to follow, but that doesn’t mean all of them will.

Ponds and marshes will also be attractive to hunters for the water source and the game that is drawn to those areas.

Reflective Gear

You can purchase reflective gear for yourself and your pets almost anywhere, including online. This gear is a must; it tells hunters from a long distance away that you and your pet are not game.

Recently, in Truro, Massachusetts, a weimaraner named Henry was shot by a hunter. The dog’s human had been out walking in the woods with no reflective gear and his 2 weimaraners off-leash. These particular dogs are typically light brown in color. They crossed paths with a hunter, and 1 dog was accidentally shot.

Thankfully, Henry survived. The hunter was at fault for not making sure of his target, but from a distance, these dogs — particularly with their coloring — can easily be mistaken for deer. Also, the dogs’ human took no precautions to ensure his pets were safe.

A simple vest and a leash on his dog might have avoided the whole situation.

Horse Safety

While dogs are often at risk for being accidentally shot, horses can be at risk as well. The USDA offers the following tips:

• Avoid active hunting areas when trail riding.
• Wear blaze orange/bright clothing.
• Braid colorful ribbons into your horse’s mane and tail.
• Keep horses stabled during hunting hours or hours with dim lighting, like sunrise/sunset.
• Post clear “No Hunting” signs around your property.
• Paint pasture posts bright orange.
• Put brightly colored bridles and blankets on your horses.

Often, people with horses live on rural property that borders wooded areas, so take extra precautions to keep your horses safe while outdoors.

Bright-orange vests are a great way to keep your dogs visible in the woods:

Cat Safety

Even cats can be at risk this time of year. If you have cats who prefer (and will accept nothing less) than being outdoor cats, you may want to try to entice them inside as much as possible.

You can also give them a belled and/or brightly colored collar. They may not thank you for scaring off the bird they were trying to catch, but it could be the difference between staying safe or being shot.

Mistakes Can Happen

By and large, most hunters obey the laws and are careful about how and what they hunt. But even the most careful hunters can make mistakes.

Additionally, there will always be people who don’t follow the rules. And those types of people are the ones who may accidentally shoot your pet and then leave because they’re afraid to get caught. We need to prepare for that as best we can.

If you suspect hunters are in an area that they shouldn’t be in, are drinking excessively while hunting or otherwise in violation of regulations, you can and should report them to your local authorities.

In many states, this will be the Department of Natural Resources, but if you aren’t sure, you can always contact your local police department. They will know who to contact and how to handle the situation.

The season of giving is here, and you’ve come to the right place for all your pet gift needs this year.

Whether you have an outdoor enthusiast of a dog, a cat who loves to lounge or even a rabbit in need of an extra stocking stuffer, you’re covered with this list of treats, toys and more.

Skip the long checkout lines and have these gifts delivered straight to your front door. This page contains affiliate links.

For Outdoor Lovers

1. Gulpy Water Bottle

For long walks and hikes, the Gulpy Water Bottle is a must. Simply pack it in any regular water bottle backpack sleeve and extend its built-in “bowl” during water break pit stops.

2. Tigris Dog Pack

The OneTigris Hound Pack is an envy-worthy backpack that’s perfect for outdoor adventures. Strap the pack to your dog during hikes and pack it with the necessities, like a pup first aid kit, food, treats and extra water.

3. Dog Fence Window

This fence window won’t just make your dog’s day — it’ll make their life. Simply install this clear, domed window into your backyard fence, and give your dog the opportunity to watch the world go by.

4. Collar LED Light

If your dog or cat goes outdoors in anything other than perfect lighting, get them a collar LED light. Think of it as a bike light for your pet. It easily clips to collars or leashes, is weather resistant and has a battery life of up to 25 hours.

5. Cat Yoga Mat

How many times have you started an at-home yoga session only to end up with a cat curled underneath your downward dog pose?

The Cat Yoga Mat solves this problem by giving your pet a mat of their own. It’s cat-sized, has a convenient catnip toy attached and offers a scratch-free surface for a mess-free floor.

6. Outdoor Cat Habitat

Indoor cats like to be outside sometimes, too — especially when their humans have left them indoors. The habitat is a clear tent that gives your cat space to move around outside without running the risk of them jetting off on an exploration of their own.

7. Small Pet Travel Carrier

If you’re traveling this holiday season, the Awtang Travel Carrier should be at the top of your shopping list. This carrier has a built-in food bowl to minimize spilling, a water attachment, sleeping quarters and even a slide.

For Foodies

8. Gingerbread Dog Treats

These gingerbread biscuits are all natural and completely wheat-free. Their only 4 ingredients are oat flour, peanut butter, cinnamon and ginger, making them an excellent option for sensitive stomachs.

9. Holiday Feast Dog Biscuits

Another Bocce’s Bakery option is its pumpkin, cranberry and roasted turkey treat tin. Each 8-ounce tin contains organic treats made from barley flour, turkey, pumpkin, cranberries and cinnamon.

10. Holiday Box Dog Treats

Plato Pet Treats are all natural, non-GMO and have absolutely no artificial ingredients. Each package in the holiday box is 4 ounces and contain no gluten, corn, wheat or soy.

11. Dreidel, Dreidel Holiday Dog Treats

These peanut butter-flavored treats are just like you’d want your own cookies to be — dense and chewy — so forget about any crumbly messes around the house.

12. Pet Eggnog

The Honest Kitchen has created a new tradition for all pet-loving families. To serve the pet eggnog, all you need to do is add water to the goat’s milk, honey, egg and cinnamon mix.

For Indoor Adventurers

13. Star of David Rope Toy

Families celebrating Hanukkah will enjoy this Star of David rope toy for their dogs. The 6.5-inch, high-quality toy is made with festive colors and offers lots of opportune grip points for your dog to grab hold of and jump into a game of tug-of-war.

14. Holiday Catnip Toy Set

Cat’n Around has a trio toy pack that comes with one certified organic bag of catnip. Each toy is eco-friendly and designed to provide long-lasting use.

15. Holiday Cat Toy Box

The Savvy Tabby Holiday Chew toy box is, according to its sellers, “a feline entertainment system.” With an assortment of toys, both plush and sparkly, your cat will likely agree.

16. Cat Tunnel

For the adventurous indoor cat, this 4-Way Cat Tunnel is like a dream come true. The nearly 5-foot tunnel gives the perfect hideout spot, and the hanging plush toys will keep them entertained.

The cat tunnel offers extra-wide openings, so if your dog wants to join in on the fun, they won’t get stuck along the way.

17. Holiday Cat Scratcher House

If you’re looking for something that doesn’t take up quite so much room, the Gingerbread Cat Scratcher House might be the perfect fit. This gift offers a removable scratcher enclosed by “gingerbread” housing and a catnip toy to hang from the ceiling.

18. Time for Joy Cat Teaser Toy

Give your cat something to jump and chase with the Kissmoose Cat Teaser Toy. The plush moose with “spring” limbs dangles from the end of a pole, meaning playtime will involve both you and your cat.

19. Christmas Tree Rabbit Toy

If you’re having trouble finding the perfect gift for your rabbit, this non-toxic Christmas tree chewing toy is the perfect solution. The 6-inch tree, made from carefully sourced wood, is made to endure months of chewing and playtime.

20. Rabbit Christmas Stocking Toy Set

If 1 toy isn’t enough for your rabbit, this stocking toy set will do the trick. Each holiday stocking comes with 8 durable toys all made for heavy chewers. Just like the previous toy, these are made from carefully sourced wood from the US only.

Watch these huskies help their humans prepare their Christmas tree:

21. Christmas “Cake” Bird Toy

Homemade charm is what makes this bird toy so appealing. The Christmas “cake” themed toy will give your bird something to chew, shred and forage and is made only with bird-safe materials. Simply clip it to your bird’s cage and enjoy their fun.

22. Snowman Bird Perch

Deck your bird’s cage out in a holiday theme even more with the Snowman Bird Perch. This perch, made with natural wood and eco-friendly paint, hangs from your bird’s cage to give them an extra spot to hang out and explore.

23. Candy Cane Bird Toy

The candy cane toy is made with bird-safe materials and 2 festive bells on both ends for extra fun. The quick-link cage connector makes it simple to switch out from time to time.

24. Small Pet Playground

The Alfie Small Pet Maze gives gerbils, mice, chinchillas, rats or hamsters the chance to exercise their physical and mental brawn over the holidays. The maze is compact, measuring less than 1 foot in diameter, and offers 14 entrance holes with 12 compartments for your small pet to explore.

25. Aquarium Christmas Tree

Your aquarium pets deserve some holiday cheer, too. The tank decor starts out as a bare trunk, but — when given the chance to grow inside your aquarium — it will blossom into a mossy, festive pine tree.

For Beauty Queens and Kings

26. Derby Originals Dog Coat

This well-constructed coat has a rip-stop, waterproof outer layer and poly-fill insulation. Multiple sturdy buckles are adjustable on both the chest and stomach for snug fits.

27. Midlee Dog Santa Boots

Velcro straps make the boots easy to adjust and stay on your dog’s paws, and rubber soles add both traction and protection from the elements.

28. Monogrammed Collar

Is your dog prone to breaking free and roaming the neighborhood? This soft-leather monogrammed collar will help keep them safe and sound, with large lettering and numbering right on the collar.

29. Dog Holiday Bow Ties

The full set of bowties includes 20 ties, with half of them dedicated to the holidays. Each set also comes with gold-colored jingle bells to top the look off. The bowties are adjustable between 8–13 inches and are best suited for small dogs or cats.

30. Holiday-Scented Pet Cologne

The warm vanilla, pumpkin gingerbread or caramel apple scents will keep both your pet and house smelling fresh and festive.

31. Hidden Litter Box

This faux terra cotta pot and plant discreetly house a large litter box, meaning you can place it anywhere you want without it ruining your home’s decor. It even has a filtered vent system to control the smell.

32. Marshall Ferret Sweatshirt

There’s no doubt your pet will be the center of attention in this. Dress them up and let the selfies begin. The sweatshirt runs a bit large, so check the measurements before ordering.

33. Small Pet Santa Hat

The soft, flannel hat has an adjustable Velcro strap to hold it in place, and while it might not stay on for too long, it’ll certainly upgrade your holiday family photos this year.

For Lazy Loungers

34. Memory Foam Dog Bed

If your dog loves to lounge, a memory foam dog bed will make their day. It has a foam base with an attachable, supportive bolster, and the cover is fully removable for easy washing.

35. Kitty Crinkle Sack

The Kitty Crinkle Sack is like a cozy sleeping bag for your cat. It looks so comfortable, it might even spur a little envy in yourself (the inside is lined with lambswool).

36. Ferret Bear Rug

The Marshall Bear Rug was made with ferrets in mind, but any small pet can enjoy it. The outside is made of soft fleece, and the inside is accessible through holes in the bear’s legs and mouth, giving your pet a new place to burrow.

37. Winter Bird Cave

This winter cave will make a wonderful addition to your bird’s cage this holiday season. It hangs directly from the top of the cage and is made with soft fleece to keep your bird warm and cozy. The cave is best suited for small birds, like parakeets.

For Techies

38. Furbo Dog Camera

See what they’re doing via the HD camera, toss them treats throughout the day and even receive notifications when they’re barking. With 2-way audio, you can chat with your dog and even do a little training — all from your desk at work.

39. iFetch

After either you or your dog drops a tennis ball into its large opening, the iFetch launches the ball for your dog to chase. With a little training, fetch time can become completely hands-free.

40. Link Smart Dog Collar

The Link Smart Collar acts as a GPS tracking device for your dog, plus so much more. By connecting to the Link app, you can locate a lost dog, trigger training noises (think clicker training), detect dangerous temperatures, track activity, store vet records and even record walks.

To use the Link Smart Collar, you’ll need to sign up for a monthly service plan, which also gives you an extended warranty and complimentary access to the Pet Poison Helpline.

41. Clever Pet Hub

The Clever Pet Hub is a food station for your pet that combines eating time with mental stimulation. Lights and sensors are operated by innovative technology that gives your pets puzzles to solve to access food or treats.

Connect the Pet Hub with an app and keep track of your pet throughout the day. It can store up to 2.5 cups of food or treats, which can be dispensed at levels adjusted by you.

42. Helmet Pet Cam With Laser Pointer

You’ve probably seen pet cameras that dispense treats (like the Furbo Dog Camera above), but this one’s made specifically for cats, with a laser pointer you can control from the camera’s app. Check in on your cat while you’re away at work and add a little playtime in too.

Pet Sitter Picks

43. Organic Grass Growing Kit

This is for those cats who just love to chew on your plants. This little planter comes with organic soil, organic seed mix and a lead-free planter to put it together. It’s inexpensive and easy for anyone to put together — and your cats will now have a completely organic plant they can nibble on whenever they want.

This dog can’t get enough of the spinning dreidel:

44. Pioneer Pet Smartcat Ultimate Scratching Post

I have a client who has 2 of these in her home, and I am here to tell you that they are fantastic. Standing at 32 inches tall, they’re high enough for your cats to get a good, long stretch and scratch in. They look large, but for their size, they don’t take up much room. The downside is that if you have climbers, this is not going to be sturdy enough for them to perch on.

Most likely, as they make their leap down, they’re going to knock it over (I will say though, as a complete klutz, I’ve physically run into these while in my client’s home, and they haven’t budged). However, the top part really isn’t large enough to tempt any but the most stubborn “perchers.”

45. Kong Jumbler Football Toy

Some dogs just seem to utterly destroy any toy they’re given. You almost feel like you could hand them a concrete block and they’d pulverize it. Well, there may be hope — this toy gets excellent reviews from people with several different breeds of dog, including pit bulls, Belgian Malinois and Labs. There is a squeaker and a ball inside the toy that entice dogs to play with it, but it’s extremely durable.

Most reviewers state that their dog has yet to kill this toy, although the minority do say that their dog was able to tear off a piece — or 2.

46. Interactive Toy and Food Dispenser

I purchased this myself about 6 months ago for my cat, and it’s held up beautifully. It’s inexpensive and fun for cats.

This is very easy to use — just fill with kibble or treats, align the openings to dispense and place it on the floor for the cat. They will quickly learn that batting this ball around rewards them handsomely! I have to be completely honest, though: At 15, my cat isn’t so much about the play as he is the food.

47. Kong Wobbler Treat-Dispensing Dog Toy

The biggest version of this toy is almost comically large. It’s tough, durable and provides great entertainment for easily bored dogs.

It’s weighted at the bottom to provide the wobble and can hold varying amounts of kibble, depending on what size Kong you purchase. The biggest downside I have personally noticed is that smaller kibbles and treats will fall out of the non-adjustable hole.

48. 3x Yeowww! 100% Organic Catnip Stinkies Sardines

You might think to steer clear of anything with the word “Stinkies” in the name, but your cat would missing out.

These cat toys are stuffed with organic catnip, and the exterior of the toy is made up of natural cotton twill. These inexpensive sardine toys get resoundingly good reviews, and the general consensus is that cats love them.

49. Niteangel Luxury Double-Bunk Bed Hammock

If you need gifts for ferrets or rats, this is a great option. This hammock can comfortably fit 2 ferrets or 5 adult rats.

Reviews are almost overwhelmingly positive, with people saying that the hammock is soft, durable and almost all their pets love it. It’s easy to install with clips that attach right to the cage and provides a cozy place for tuckered-out pets to cuddle and snooze.

50. Hugs Pet Products Whack-A-Mouse Cat Toy

Remember that Whack-a-Mole game you used to love? Now there’s one for cats, and you can play too.

This fun game allows you to play with your cats by controlling the mouse. You simply sit on the side of the board and use the mouse wand to poke the mouse through the hole, intriguing and entertaining your cats. This toy is relatively inexpensive and by all accounts durable.

* * *

There you have it — our top 50 picks for pet presents this holiday season. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have some shopping to do!

Being a pet sitter is a tremendous responsibility. You’re entrusted with the care of other peoples’ beloved pets, and — in many cases — with access to their home and possessions as well. A successful pet sitter is meticulous, caring, patient and responsible.

The best thing I’ve ever done was become a pet sitter. I can’t imagine any other career as fulfilling and fun as the one I have. But we pet sitters are human, which means that, despite the best attention to detail, calamities are going to happen. Pets don’t always react the way we want or need them to in any given situation. Illness, anxiety, excitement, equipment failure and more can lead to disaster.

Here are 3 personal stories to show you just what I mean.

Leash Problems

Walking a dog who pulls is not a fun experience for the dog or for the dog walker. Dogs who pull too hard often choke themselves in the effort to move farther and faster — while the person behind them tries to keep from being yanked off their feet. As you can imagine, this put tremendous pressure on the equipment (harnesses and leashes).

I have some dogs just like this. And the inevitable did occur – the dog was pulling so hard that he managed to snap his leash.

This is a very dangerous situation. The dog is now free to run wherever he wants, including into traffic or smack into other dogs who may react aggressively. So what do you do?

The first thing is to not panic. Whatever you are feeling is going to be in your voice; if you’re calling to a dog in fear or anger, they’re going to react to that by running away. Don’t chase aggressively — this can scare a dog or make them think you’re playing a game. Speak calmly, and if you’re smart, you’ll carry some treats with you.

Most dogs have some sort of food motivation, and if you’re calm and happy-seeming, you can get their attention and wave the cookie. Because you don’t appear angry or threatening, the dog is usually happy to return to your side for the cookie.

With my client’s dog, this was the case. He bounced right over once I said the magic word. Of course, I had to hang on to his collar all the way home, but the important thing was he was safe. The client invested in a stronger leash, a harness and promised to leash train their dog. As for me, I now carry a backup leash wherever I go.

Catastrophe on the Roof

This story is from a friend of mine; we’ll call him “Brian.” Brian agreed to watch a woman’s 3 cats while she was away. It was a pretty standard deal: feed, water, scoop litter and playtime. What the client failed to mention was that she had a window with no screen open upstairs.

Pet sitters don’t — or shouldn’t — tour people’s homes unnecessarily. We’re not there to invade your privacy; we’re there to take care of your animals. So Brian didn’t realize that there was an open window until he arrived at the house the next morning — and found 1 of the cats peering down at him from the roof, meowing loudly.

Naturally, Brian went upstairs to try and coax the cat back inside. And that’s when he realized that somehow the cat had managed to get his tail stuck and couldn’t get loose.

Climbing out onto the roof was not an option, so cue the call to the local fire department, who showed up in the big red ladder truck to lend a hand — which, of course, instigated the curiosity of the neighbors, who gathered in full force to watch the drama play out. The cat was rescued safely and checked over by his veterinarian as a precaution, but he was fine.

Needless to say, Brian did not hand out his card in that neighborhood.

When a Dog Bites

One thing that people don’t always realize is that their dogs aren’t going to behave the same way for a pet sitter as they do for their them. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard “She definitely doesn’t bite!” during an initial meeting — then 2 days later, when I attempt to attach a leash, I have to to play “dodge the teeth.”

In this particular incident, a meeting involving a friendly Lab named Lucy and her humans went very well, and I didn’t anticipate too many problems walking her. However, when I arrived the following day and attempted to attach the leash, Lucy wasn’t having it. And she let me know in the clearest way possible — with her teeth.

So here I am, bleeding, with a dog that still needs to be walked lest she ends up toileting in the house. How to fix this disaster?

First, with bandages and a calm demeanor. Lucy is not a vicious dog — she’s anxious. I made the mistake of not reading her body language quickly enough to determine that she’d need some coaxing. Once bandaged, I sat down and simply talked to Lucy, while offering a cookie or 2. It took some time, but eventually she allowed me to leash her, and we went for a walk.

This seems like an awesome job to have:

Learning From Mistakes

In every disaster, there is an opportunity to learn something. From these 3 disasters, we have 3 important takeaways:

1. Backup equipment is a must. You don’t have to spend top dollar on it, but have a leash and/or harness ready in case the pet’s equipment fails. If you have a dog who pulls significantly, you may even want to walk them with both leashes attached.
2. Ask people about any and all routines involving the home. I always ask what their security routine is regarding windows and doors. Use your eyes when you arrive and depart, and look for any problem areas.
3. Never assume any pet will not bite or scratch because they didn’t when their humans were around. Any pet is capable of inflicting injury, given the right circumstances. Budget extra time for the first few visits so you can take your time getting to know the pet’s body language and comfort zones.

Pet sitting is the best job in the world, but like any job, it has its low points. Stay calm when they happen, be honest about them and learn to laugh about them — some are simply unavoidable.

The collar was a rich, deep purple and had a brass star-shaped I.D. tag. It would look well against Emrys’s ruddy Abyssinian fur, I thought. Only Emrys didn’t want any part of it. He didn’t bite or scratch — he just looked up at me, totally bewildered.

Now, my cats don’t go outside. They don’t even have an enclosure or a catio. But they wear collars and I.D. tags just in case one of them manages to slip out. Some have been a bit hissy about it at first but then settled down within a relatively short amount of time.

Emrys had never worn a collar before and looked miserable, as if he were being punished. So after a while, I removed it and tossed it into a drawer. Emrys then acted like the fairy-tale prince who had just been awakened from an evil spell. The light came back into his eyes, and he leapt around the room and up onto his cat tree, rejoicing in his freedom from neckwear.

A Study on Collars and Cats

In 2010, Dr. Linda Lord of The Ohio State University, Dr. Margaret Slater of Texas A&M University, Dr. Julie Levy of the University of Florida and Brenda Griffin of Cornell University conducted a 6-month study on the subject with the assistance of 538 cats. During the study, 391 of those cats wore their collars without mishap. The other 115 either lost their collars, scratched or kicked at them nonstop — necessitating their removal — or got them caught on something, the “something” in question occasionally being their lower jaws.

“A lot of people start out with the dogma that cats can’t wear collars, that they won’t tolerate them or that [the collars are] dangerous,” noted Lord. “Now pet [people] can look at this research and, if they [have] a cat, maybe they will consider that they will be able to put identification on them. A collar with an I.D. tag is probably a cat’s greatest chance of ever being re-homed or brought back if it is lost.” Less than 2 percent of lost cats make it home, Lord added. Collars and proper identification would, she believed, change that.

Pamela Merritt, author of the Way of Cats blog, doesn’t see it that way. To her, the problem with collaring is simple. “[C]ats don’t really have collarbones,” she points out. “They have a rudimentary clavicle that is free-floating. So cats are used to sliding into spaces that are too small for them. If they have a fixed collar, this is going to get them caught.”

Merritt mentions that less-than-2-percent figure but explains that it actually refers to the number of cats retrieved from shelters and not to lost cats in general. “So let’s not rely on collars and I.D. tags when microchipping works so much better.”

That figure, by the way, comes from an ASPCA study, and Merritt is closer to the mark: 2 percent of lost cats turned up at shelters. The others either returned on their own or were found by their people.

Safety Collars

We put these on our first 2 kittens, Cricket and Kilah. Then, one morning, as Tim and I were about to leave for work, we heard a noise — it was Kilah trying to unhook her safety collar from her lower jaw. We quickly removed the collars from both sisters and replaced them with buckle collars; we made sure that we could fit 2 fingers between the collars and their necks, and the kitten-girls were good to go.

Years later, I tried another breakaway collar on Circe, our blue Aby. Zeke and I came home that evening to find that she had somehow managed to tighten the elastic on the collar by kicking/scratching at it and was slowly choking. I got the collar off, and she was fine except for some abrasions on her tiny throat. But I still shudder when I think what might’ve happened had we not come home early.

Safety collars, according to my vet, work better on outdoor cats than on indoor ones. The collar breaks away if it gets caught on anything, and the cat is free.

Microchipping is a pretty quick procedure for cats:

The Microchip Way

Microchipping is painless and it also ups your chances of seeing your lost pet again. And if someone steals your cat or takes them in, thinking that they’re a stray, that little chip will prove beyond the proverbial shadow of the doubt whom they belong to.

An indoors-only feline is probably fine with just the chip, though some people will do both the chip and the collar, just to be on the safe side. Pawl, who lives in Florida, recently had an experience that suggests there’s a benefit to this 2-pronged approach. One evening, while she was still without power from the hurricane, she got a call from her son in Connecticut. “Mom,” he said, “it’s 10 o’clock. Do you know where your cat is?”

Saba, one of the Burmese, had snuck out and started chatting up the neighbors round the corner. They, in turn, saw the microchip tag on his collar “and called the 800 number imprinted on it. Without the collar tag, they would have had to wait until a vet’s office was open and had power so the cat could be checked for a microchip.”

So it’s not exactly a clear-cut issue. What is clear, however, is that even an indoor cat needs some sort of safeguard in case they pull a Harry Houdini escape on you. And if your cat is an indoor-outdoor one, they need it all the more. It could mean a world of difference for both of you.

There’s been a lot of exposure about the pets left to fend for themselves during the recent hurricanes. It makes one wonder: Had their humans been more prepared, would those pets still have been left behind? We certainly hope not.

Preparedness is a key factor when it comes to successful evacuations in any type of natural disaster. No matter where you live in the U.S., your part of the country has tendencies toward certain weather-related conditions. Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and blizzards all fall under the “severe” category and can quickly become natural disasters requiring evacuation.

These weather incidents can happen suddenly, which leaves less time to prepare and evacuate. This is why it’s critical to practice preparedness regardless of whether a weather event is forecasted for the immediate future.

Supplies

“If you must evacuate your home in a crisis, plan for the worst-case scenario,” advises the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). “Even if you think you may be gone for only a day, assume that you may not be allowed to return for several weeks.”

You will need these items at hand when evacuating with your pet:

• Pet food
• Bottled water
• Medications with an accompanying sheet describing their dosages
• First aid supplies
• Equipment such as dishes, leashes, collars, carriers and restraints
• Veterinary records
• Identifying tags with your pets’ names and your information

Place items like paperwork and medications in a waterproof container, and label your pets’ carriers with your pets’ names as well as your name and phone number.

When evacuating, time is of the essence. Pre-packing a kit with these items and storing it in an easy-to-reach place ensures a faster and more organized departure. Be sure to rotate out food and medications that expire or are no longer needed periodically.

Microchipping your pet is also strongly recommended. In the event your pet becomes lost, microchipping with up-to-date information is one of the key tools shelters, rescues and animal control officers will use to help reunite you with your pet.

Places to Go

Trying to find somewhere that will accept you and your pets can be tricky, particularly in the 11th hour, when hotels just out of the danger zone will be filling up rapidly. Hotels that accept pets are not always easy to find, especially when you’re in a hurry.

Before a storm hits, take some time to research hotels in your state. Keep a list of those that accept pets, and at the first hint that you will need to evacuate, call and book a room. Remember, the longer you wait, the less likely it is you’re going to find an available room.

Another option is to discuss evacuation scenarios with friends and family who may live within your state or the next state over. Ask them if you can count on them to shelter you and your pets in the event of an evacuation.

Lastly, look into human shelters in your area that will accept pets in the event of an evacuation. Some people simply can’t evacuate, and that’s OK. Shelters are opened exactly for this reason. Knowing ahead of time which will accept pets will help make your evacuation go more smoothly.

Timing

If an evacuation order is given, you will be sharing the roads with thousands of others all trying to go the same way you are going. There will be hours of traffic to contend with, possibly prohibiting you from leaving the area before the bad weather begins.

You may even be asked to evacuate before a storm warning is even officially issued. “[E]mergency planners might calculate that, say, evacuating the Florida Keys requires 24 hours, and that tropical-force winds might arrive 36 hours before the eye of the hurricane hits, meaning the evacuation needs to commence 60 hours before the storm-surge risk peaks,” Susan Cutter, director of the Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute at the University of South Carolina, recently told LiveScience. “[T]hat may mean evacuating before the … warning is officially out, based on the lead time that the National Hurricane Center provides (typically 48 hours for a hurricane watch or warning and less time for storm-surge warnings).”

Stay abreast of local news whether it’s by social media, television or radio so you can be as informed as possible.

Watch this photographer evacuate her mother and family dogs after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, Texas:

Preparedness Prevents Stress

Being prepared really does help mitigate stress for both you and your pets. When you have to evacuate, often it’s hastily done, and your pets’ routines are thrown completely out of whack. This can be incredibly stressful for your animals, causing them to behave oddly. They may vocalize, cry, urinate or defecate, tremble or show other signs that they’re upset.

Being prepared allows you to remain much calmer in the event of an evacuation, and your pet will pick up on how you feel. If you and your family are packed haphazardly into your vehicle, tensions high, there’s arguing, you’re stuck in traffic and everyone’s generally upset, your pets will react accordingly. Conversely, if you are all calm and things are organized, it’s likely your pet will remain much calmer.

Taking a little time to set yourself up before storm season begins can make all the difference if the worst-case scenario arrives and you have to evacuate. Being prepared will ensure that you and your pets have the safest possible experience.

I was raking in my backyard. It had just been a week since my Summer Solstice’s death, and my world felt pretty empty without her quiet companionship.

I turned and froze. My little ruddy Abyssinian friend sat under the honeysuckle tree, looking as though she’d never been away. Her coat was rich and flowing, no longer showing the ravages of kidney disease. I could almost hear her purring.

She stayed for what seemed a long time, then vanished. I stood there, clearly amazed yet sure of what I’d seen. Over time, there were other visitations or “seeings.” None of them lasted as long as that first one, however.

The Cat Came Back

Or maybe it never went away. As it turns out, my experience isn’t all that unusual. Many people have written of their cats who weren’t quite ready to leave.

A cat may, as Dusty Rainbolt observes in Ghost Cats: Human Encounters With Feline Spirits, “still have important business left to do, usually revolving around her unconditional love and loyalty for her humans. Often she returns simply to say goodbye — especially if there was no chance for closure before death, perhaps because the cat disappeared or died mysteriously or unexpectedly.”

Many of the accounts I came across were precisely about that — the beloved cat pulling a sort of ghostly Columbo “just one more thing” act before heading over the Rainbow Bridge. One woman described how her elderly cat, Bonzai, showed up on her bed a few nights after his passing: “He was just sitting there, watching me. I was stunned because he was definitely there, but it was more a clear image of him. It wasn’t solid. Then he turned around and walked out the bedroom door.” She got up to check the other rooms, but Bonzai had vanished.

Other sightings are less vivid. Blogger Louise Hung writes about how she and her husband kept seeing their deceased tortoiseshell, Brandy, “out of the corners of our eyes — darting around the edge of the couch, strolling past the bed, walking into the bathroom. I can almost hear the tapping of little paws on my floor.” Later, she saw “a round, dark shape” on the sofa. “I could make out soft edges and — it couldn’t be — black patches? A stripe? Eyes?” Something “[v]ery black, like a photograph negative” was curled up on Brandy’s favorite spot.

Famous Feline Phantoms

Hauntings basically fall into 2 categories, according to Rainbolt: residual and intelligent. “A residual haunting occurs when the cat repeats the same motions over and over again, but doesn’t appear to have any intelligence, like an image on a DVD. She doesn’t interact with her environment or pay attention to anyone around her.”

An intelligent haunting, on the other hand, involves the cat’s spirit actually interacting with their human or with other animals.

The Black Cat of Killakee supposedly haunts the ruins of the Dublin Hellfire Club. The ghost was seen several times by Margaret O’Brien in the late 1960s; she and her husband had purchased the property to turn it into an arts center. It was not a charming or plaintive ghost but a red-eyed nightmare cat, and it left O’Brien considerably shaken. After an artist friend and some workmen had a similar encounter, she called in a priest to perform an exorcism.

This particular branch of the Hellfire Club was notorious for debauchery and — so it was rumored – Satanic rituals. There were stories of black cats and humans being sacrificed, so it’s possible that this might be a residual haunting. There is some question now about the devil worshipping: the club members were, as journalist David Ryan writes, simply “freethinkers who believed in neither heaven nor hell.” But the legend of the fiery-eyed demon cat lives on.

Another black cat is said to haunt Washington, D.C. Demon Cat — a.k.a. D.C. — hangs out in the basement of the White House, the mall and the Capitol. He appears small at first, almost kitten-sized, but then morphs into a large, snarling beast. He’s also a harbinger, appearing before such national calamity, such as the 1929 stock market crash and John F. Kennedy’s assassination.

Whoa — did you see that? This cat sure did:

Inspiration for a Famous Fictional Cat

Not all cat ghosts are black or fear-inspiring. From England comes the story of the Congleton cat. In the early 20th century, 2 women saw a large white cat sitting on a post by the ruins of a nearby abbey. He was very beautiful and seemed very friendly; as they approached him, however, he leaped into the air and disappeared.

A few days later, the friends drove by the spot again, and the feline repeated his leap-and-vanish trick. They were later told by an elderly resident that the cat had belonged to Mrs. Winge, who had been the abbey’s housekeeper in the late 1800s, but he had disappeared.

Cats, however, are fiercely loyal, and this one was no exception. One evening, as writer David Greene tells the story in his book Incredible Cats, Mrs. Winge “heard a familiar scratching at the back door and, opening it, was delighted to see the cat sitting placidly on her step. But no matter how much she coaxed and pleaded, the animal refused to come indoors. Then, after a few moments, he slowly vanished before her astonished gaze.”

The cat continued to show up on a nightly basis, and there were numerous witnesses to his visits. It is even speculated that Lewis Carroll — who was born near Congleton and who had a profound interest in the paranormal — used the white ghost cat as the inspiration for the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland.

Farfetched? If you believe that animals have souls, then it follows that those souls, like human souls, sometimes stay behind for reasons of their own.

You’ve finally given into the begging and pleading: You’re bringing home a pet.

Kids are drawn to animals. If they’ve reached the age where they understand the joy puppies, kittens and other critters provide, you’ve undoubtedly heard all about it. A new pet brings new life into your family, giving opportunities for bonding, family playtime and lessons in responsibility.

The benefits of raising a pet with your kids are hard to ignore. Before bringing your new furry (or feathered, scaly or maybe even slimy) friend home, learn how to prepare your kids for its arrival. Follow these steps for a more seamless transition into the world of family pet care.

1. Pet-Proof

Remember when you had to baby-proof your home in preparation for the arrival of your kids? Bringing home a pet isn’t much different, especially if it’s a puppy or kitten capable of finding its way into risky situations.

Not sure where to start? A trip to your local Target and a tour down the baby aisles might help.

Major points to keep in mind:

2. Set Expectations

Your kids need to know what to expect from a new pet. They also need to know what to expect from you. Will they play a big role in the care process? Will they need to feed the pet each morning or take them out in the afternoon?

Helping raise a pet is a great way to instill a sense of responsibility, though you should avoid using pets to punish your kids. Help them by setting expectations and rules ahead of time.

3. Create a Schedule

A simple way to get your family involved in pet care responsibilities is to keep a calendar on the fridge.

Assign daily tasks to each person in the family (make sure to include yourself). Keep a stack of stickers next to the calendar your kids can use to “check off” their daily tasks. You can even give rewards for tasks being done by a certain time, like extra one-on-one time with the pet.

Having a schedule creates accountability for everyone in the family. With stickers involved, you can create a level of “gamification” for your kids, too.

Not sure which tasks to assign? With a new dog, for example, your calendar could include:

• Breakfast by 8 a.m.
• 10-minute walk by 9 a.m.
• Give 2 bathroom breaks by 10 a.m.
• Playtime with a toy for 20 minutes.
• Water bowl cleaning and refilling.

Your list can grow and expand as you find new activities that get your children involved in the care process. The most important part? Make these “tasks” seem like privileges. Your child doesn’t have to take care of their pet—they get to.

4. Understand Pet Language

Dogs, cats and other pets speak a different language than your kids. They don’t always see giant bear hugs as loving. They might not be excited about getting their faces squished by a tiny set of hands.

To ensure your kids and pets become the best of friends, teach your children how to interact with them properly. Go over big rules, like no chasing, teasing or taking away food.

Make sure to teach all the basics, too, like:

Kids don’t typically understand when or how they’re upsetting a pet or if their hugs or petting is too forceful. Teach them how to speak their future pet’s language ahead of time, or even better, demonstrate and practice with a friend or family member’s pet.

There are several ways kids can benefit from caring for a pet, as seen in this video:

5. Test Run

Before introducing a new pet into the family, spend some time with other animals. See how your kids interact with dogs, cats, birds and hamsters. Watch their body language. Are they scared, or do they love it?

One of the best ways to get a realistic picture of how your family will handle a pet is to take care of one for a few days. Is a friend or family member heading out of town soon? Offer to take care of their pet. Introduce feeding, bathroom and playtime routines to your kids to make sure they understand the level of responsibility pets require.

Of course, your kids don’t have to be perfect with the pet right off the bat for you to bring one into the family. It takes time to establish new routines, and caring for the life of an animal will take practice.

Above all, the number 1 rule to remember is raising a pet requires patience, with both your kids and your new family member. By setting expectations and planning ahead of time, your family’s transition can be fun, exciting and rewarding.