Choices Pet Sitters - Jasper Georgia's #1 In-Home Pet Sitting Service

06/26/2024

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05/28/2024

Your pet’s bedding is freshly washed, a ready nest full of softness, warmth….and formaldehyde?🙀

If you use dryer sheets or other fabric softeners, that “fresh scent” left behind is evidence of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.

Formaldehyde is one of the respiratory irritant VOCs common in fabric softeners, along with acetaldehyde and acetone. But there are many more - researchers found 25 distinct VOCs emitted from dryer vents when these products were used😱 Other common offenders include:

☠️pentane - causes skin and GI irritation

☠️ethyl acetate - on the EPA’s hazardous waste list, causing anemia, changes in white blood cells, and damage to the liver and kidneys

☠️benzyl acetate - absorbed through the skin and damages the pancreas

☠️alpha-terpineol - causes headaches and nervous system disorders

The good news is that your pet can have clean, soft bedding 🛌 without risk of coughing, itchy rashes, organ dysfunction and more! In our new book Forever Dog LIFE, we show you how to make reusable non-toxic dryer sheets that are good for you, your pets, and the environment, plus many more DIY solutions for home and body! 🙌

www.foreverdoglife.com

05/18/2024

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05/11/2024

04/29/2024

NOTICE ‼️
On Friday, April 19, the Pickens County Environmental Health office was notified that two residents were attacked by a rabies-infected stray cat in the Bethany-Salem area. The incident occurred at a home in the vicinity of Mountain Lake Drive off Henderson Mountain Road, prompting immediate action from Pickens County Animal Control.

Upon investigating the incident, Animal Control discovered that the same stray cat that attacked the two individuals in the Mountain Lake Drive area had also bitten another person nearby in the area of South Woods Court. Suspecting rabies, Animal Control took the cat to a local veterinarian for testing.

Subsequent tests confirmed the cat's positive rabies status. Therefore, all three bite victims are now undergoing necessary post-exposure treatment. Reports of stray cats in the area have raised concerns, prompting Pickens County Environmental Health officials to issue an alert urging residents to be vigilant.

Denise Cox, manager of Pickens County Environmental Health, said the rabid cat had short, gray fur and looked like a Russian Blue. She strongly advises anyone who may have had contact with a stray cat matching that description anywhere in the area where the attacks occurred within the two weeks leading up to April 19 to call Pickens County Environmental Health at (706) 253-0900. After 5 PM or on the weekend when the environmental health office is closed, call the Georgia Poison Center at (800) 282-5846 or email [email protected]. Also, call Animal Control at the Pickens County Marshal’s Office at (706) 253-8986. It is imperative to then call a healthcare provider immediately.

Anytime a person is bitten or scratched by a potentially rabies-infected animal, they must seek immediate medical attention because rabies is almost always fatal if left untreated.

For further information regarding rabies and preventive measures, visit the 'Rabies - Frequently Asked Questions' section on the Georgia Department of Public Health website at dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/rabies.

[ Information provided by North Georgia Health District ]

04/12/2024

Take a moment to really listen to your animal. Hear what they have to say before you decide on a response.

There are many reasons why a dog may bite a person and the majority of dog bites are preventable. Dogs may bite due to fear or feeling that their comfort zon...

04/12/2024

An important post we had to share for ⚠️
・・・
As our children grow, it’s important to teach them the skills to interact with dogs safely. And, petting dogs is one of those skills to teach properly. We like kids to learn the phrase “one hand enough, two hands too rough!” from an early age.

When a child puts two hands on a dog, even if the interaction begins gently, it can escalate to rougher petting, grabbing, or hugging very easily. Teaching kids to pet a dog with one hand on the dog’s shoulder or back at the closest point relative to the child (i.e. NO reaching over the dog’s head or back) is a safe option and even something we adults can remember as well.

Remember to keep interactions brief and allow dogs plenty of opportunities to say “no, thanks!” (for kids and dogs!)

03/28/2024

Of course this should be every single day, but here’s a chance to spread the word to those who need a reminder. It's also an opportunity to spend a little time appreciating what your cat means to you. Happy Respect Your Cat Day!

03/28/2024

A hot topic of discussion in PSI's private Facebook group yesterday was what—if anything—pet sitters and dog walkers should do to prepare for the April 8 total solar eclipse.

So, we've republished (and updated) our blog post offering solar eclipse tips that was originally written before the August 2017 total eclipse.

www.petsit.com/solar-eclipse-and-pets

03/28/2024

Hiding places are extremely valuable for cats.

03/25/2024

The stray life is no life for a cat, and a feral cat life is even harder. Here's how to transition an outdoor cat to an indoor cat.

03/17/2024

In a few months it will be 10 years that we have been members of Pet Sitters International!

🎂Happy 30th Birthday, Pet Sitters International!🎂

As we celebrate this milestone birthday, we'd like to thank PSI members for their commitment to the professional pet-sitting industry and for their support of PSI.

Patti J. Moran founded PSI on March 17, 1994.

“When I first started my business more than four decades ago, there were no pet-sitting specific resources available to me,” said Patti Moran. “I feel honored that I was able to share what I learned with others, and that for 30 years now PSI has been able to help thousands of pet lovers turn their passion for pets into successful careers.”

Since its creation, PSI has been a trailblazer in the professional pet-care industry, with contributions including:

🐾Partnering with Business Insurers of the Carolinas to provide the first-ever business insurance for professional pet sitters
🐾Publishing the first magazine for professional pet sitters, now called Pet Sitter’s World
🐾Hosting the industry’s first international conference, now called Pet Sitter World Educational Conference and hosted annually in the fall
🐾Offering the first-ever knowledge-assessed certification specifically for professional pet sitters, the CPPS-Certified Professional Pet Sitter® designation

03/16/2024

Interactive playtime isn't about keeping the toy out of reach or moving it so fast that your cat is in constant motion. Playtime is as much mental as it is physical. Make the game fun and rewarding for your cat.

03/08/2024

We helped over 400,000 animals through our poison control lines in 2023! We've taken the time to crunch those numbers and found that pets get into some similar sticky situations! 🐶🐱
Now announcing, 📢 our annual list of top toxins for pets ahead of National Poison Prevention Week (March 17 – 23)! To get all the 2023 list has to offer, check out the link 🔗 https://bit.ly/3V5zSHo
Help us prevent future pet poisonings by sharing with your community using and !

03/06/2024

PSI is the leading educational association for professional pet sitters and dog walkers. PSI membership gives you access the credentials, continuing education & community you need to succeed in the industry.

03/03/2024

Happy Professional Pet Sitters Week! As we celebrate PSI's 30th annual , we want to send a huge THANK YOU to the thousands of pet-care professionals around the globe who are committed to professionalism, continuing education and best business practices to ensure they are able to offer the best possible pet care.

You are making the world a better place for pets—and their people!

01/02/2024

It's a New Year with the completion of my Fear Free® Animal Training certification as well as some others last year it is time to finally unveil the opening of my No Force Dog Training Business -

Respectful Communications Animal Training

Your Trainer’s Education Certificates Professional Memberships I was raised around animals for most of my early years and always had an interest in science… more…