Some people think they have the best pet and until now there’s been no way to prove it. Here’s your chance! Fetch! Pet Care is looking for the Best Pet Ever. Post a photo or video of your pet and explain why your pet is No. 1! The pet with the most votes by August 5, 2011 wins a year’s worth of pet sitting from Fetch! Pet Care and will be featured as the Best Pet Ever on Fetch! Pet Care’s website.

We want the winner to be an Orlando pet so be sure and participate!

How to Play
	Go to Fetch! Pet Care Facebook fan page
	Upload photos and/or a video explaining why your pet is the Best Pet Ever.
	Share your entry with friends and family to get more votes.
	Win! The pet with the most votes by 11:59 pm EST on August 5, 2011 wins a year’s worth of pet sitting from Fetch! Pet Care and will be featured as the Best Pet Ever on Fetch!’s website.
	Participants agree to the following disclaimer: Participation in this contest is purely voluntary. Participants give Fetch! Pet Care and its affiliates sole discretion to choose the winning entry, remove any entries, and acquire intellectual property rights of the submitted entry. Participants acknowledge and accept full responsibility for their actions and will indemnify and hold harmless Fetch! Pet Care and its affiliates in any litigation arising from the participant’s entry.

April is national pet first aid awareness month

How To Toilet Train Your Cat      

Many cats instinctively bury their waste to hide the scent from potential predators. When you toilet train your cat, you condition him to abandon those instincts in favor of simply dropping his waste into a water-filled container. On the other hand, cats are clean-freaks, so the absence of odors associated with a litter box may well fit in with their natural predilection. “Toilet training makes a cat more secure because the smell goes away,” says Eric Brotman, Ph.D., author of How To Toilet Train Your Cat: The Education of Mango (Bird Brain Press). “It fits in with their hard-wiring.”

If you have a cat that is over the age of 6 months and knows how to use a litter box, you can toilet train him. Younger cats are more easily trained, but age is no obstacle. “If the cat doesn’t have problems using a litter box, there is no reason he can’t learn a new behavior,” says Brotman.

The equipment one needs to toilet train a cat is minimal. “A tin roasting pan and duct tape,” says Brotman, “and the cat, of course.” Although there are kitty toilet-training kits on the market, a kit is not necessary to succeed, and, if your cat is larger than the litter box supplied in the kit, it may actually impede progress.

Cats can be trained in as little as 3 weeks, but it may take longer. “It’s variable,” says Brotman. “It depends on the cat’s inclination and the owner’s commitment and understanding. It can take 3 to 4 months, but the average is about 3 to 4 weeks.”

To toilet train your cat, follow the simple steps below. If at any time your cat appears reluctant to move on, go back a step or two, and start again. Don’t force your cat to do something he is uncomfortable with.

Training Your Cat

The Steps

Place your cat’s usual litter box next to the toilet. Allow him several days or even a week to become accustomed to the new location.

Over the course of a week or two, elevate the litter box a few inches at a time until it is the height of the toilet seat. You can use telephone books, stacks of magazines or newspapers, anything that will add height (but not fall over) as your cat is using the box. If the stack falls, it can make your cat hesitant about using the box altogether, let alone one that is off the floor. Allow your cat time enough to get used to the elevated height.

Once the box is the correct height, place it directly on the toilet, with the lid up but the seat down. Remove whatever materials you used to elevate the box. Let your cat get used to the location.

“Once your cat has learned to do his business at the height of the toilet, place an aluminum roasting pan over the toilet but under the seat,” says Brotman. Tape it in place with the duct tape to prevent it from sliding around. From now on, you must leave the seat down and the toilet lid up. A word of caution: avoid using an automatic toilet bowl cleaners. Chances are your cat won’t drink from the same toilet in which he eliminates, but if he does, he could become ill from any chemicals in the water.

Your cat will be used to digging in the litter to deposit wastes, so place a small amount of litter in the aluminum baking pan. Poke a small hole in the center of the roasting pan to allow liquid to drain away. “Gradually enlarge the hole in the pan,” says Brotman. “The litter will eventually start to fall through.” (By the way, it’s best to use flushable litter at this stage of the proceedings).

As the hole becomes larger, your cat will be unable to stand in the pan. When that occurs, he will balance himself on the seat. When you notice your cat is comfortable with standing on the toilet seat, take the roasting pan away. At this point, your cat should be able to eliminate into the toilet without the training aids.

The time it takes to learn to use the toilet is different for each cat. If your cat is reluctant at any stage of training, go back a step or two. “Don’t freak out,” says Brotman. “Slow down and go back a little bit. You have to be patient.”

From: PetPlace.com

This post was submitted by Kimberly Louloudis. Taso and Kimberly Louloudis are the owners of Orlando Fetch! Pet Care. Fetch! Pet Care provides a variety of pet services in your area.  Call us today for more information at 407-545-8196. Kimberly is a certified dog trainer and member of APDT.

Gotta go. Gotta Go. Gotta Go! Your dog has needs (don’t we all). And sometimes that need is to simply go out and do what nature intended. Quick walk, quick break, relief. Ask about our midday potty breaks – it could give you, your rug, and your Orlando pet “pee”s of mind.

Or if you prefer we have our private dog walks which are perfect for the pet who needs “their own space”, and this way they get the one-on-one personal attention to suit their individual needs. Your sitter will come to your home, leash up your Orlando dog and take them for up to a minimum half hour walk along their favorite area.

Do you know what a happy dance is? That’s what your puppy will be doing when your furry baby sees their Fetch pet sitter at your door, ready for their long-awaited potty break or walk like these happy Fetch! clients.

This post was submitted by Kimberly Louloudis. Taso and Kimberly Louloudis are the owners of Fetch! Pet Care of  Orlando. Fetch! Pet Care provides a variety of pet services in your area.  Call us today for more information at 407-545-8196. Kimberly is a certified dog trainer and member of APDT.

The clients, Carrie and Paul are huge animal lovers. We sat down at their kitchen table to discuss our services and to find out what was needed for their two dogs. Part of my presentation is to always find out how the client heard of us. When I asked the question, I was told by Paul that one day he was driving through their neighborhood and he saw our Fetch! van pull over and a lady got out and moved a turtle out of the road so it wouldn’t get hit by a car. He came home and told his wife to be sure and call Fetch Pet Care when she started looking for a pet care provider. I told him that was me that moved the turtle and we shared numerous rescue stories. Needless to say we got the account.

It just goes to show that you never know who is watching what you do…so do good! I guess I owe that turtle a referral commission.

This post was submitted by Kimberly Louloudis who is the owner of Fetch! Pet Care of East Orange County and Northeast Orlando. Fetch! Pet Care provides a variety of pet services in your area.  Call us today for more information at 407-545-8196. Kimberly is a certified dog trainer and member of APDT.

Many cat lovers now know that indoor cats are safer cats, while some still think that cats deserve freedom to run outdoors. As an owner of four cats, I have struggled with this decision myself over the years. My two boys, Bobby and Jake were both use to being outdoors when I adopted them. At the time I had a cat door and I let them roam freely during the day. I have a lot of funny stories about their outdoor adventures during that time, but to be honest, they and I were both very lucky.

There were vet trips and worried nights that could have been avoided had they been indoors. When we moved to a rural area we pledged to keep them indoors. They have a great screened in porch to hang out on so they are not indoors all day. That worked great for years until Bobby’s relentless begging to go outdoors with the dogs finally worked. He is a very special cat who I swear thinks he is a dog. If you have had the pleasure of meeting him then you know what I mean.

So I started letting him out in the back yard with the dogs occasionally. It went well for a while but then he started wandering off and acting like a “cat” again. Soon after that I found him in my garden with a half eaten squirrel. I felt horrible and totally responsible, especially since I have raised baby squirrels. Lesson learned. He’s back in the house now for good. He’s not too happy about it but he’ll get over it. A can of wet food helps.

When we humans domesticated cats, we took on the responsibility for their health and welfare. Part of that responsibility is to keep your cat safe and in good health. Consider these reasons to keep your cat indoors.

To Monitor Your Cats Potty Habits

Why? Because if there are no litter boxes in the house you cannot monitor their urine activity. This can be important if you have a cat who is struggling to urinate or going frequently. This can be a red flag warning of a potential UTI or urinary tract blockage. By the same token, observing a cat’s attempts to poop, or finding blood and/or mucous in the feces in the fact is a red flag for constipation, bowel blockage, or mega-colon.

An Indoor Cat Is Relatively Safe from Many Diseases

Cats allowed free access to the outdoors invariably come into contact with other cats. Even casual contact can transmit parasites and more serious diseases:

• FeLV (Feline Leukemia)
• FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)
• (Feline Distemper)
• (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)
• Zoonotic Disease

Mice your cat may eat or bring home can also cause a host of other dangerous diseases.

Indoor Cats Do Not Get Hit by Cars

According to sources, more cats are killed by cars annually than are euthanized in U.S. animal shelters. Even the most careful driver cannot avoid hitting a cat that runs across the street in front of a car. Even so-called “safe” country areas are no guarantee for cats. Country cats are not as car-savvy as their city brethren, and all it takes is one mistake of distance or speed.

Indoor Cats Are Safe From Predators and Dog Packs

Outdoor cats are below predators in the food chain, and they are sitting ducks for owls, hawks, coyotes, and native big cats. Dogs running in packs will consider a cat fair game; even one large dog can easily overpower and kill a cat. Remember that some dogs are also bred to attack; they are not really to blame when their instinct takes over. Even with a full set of fangs and claws, the cat rarely has a chance when caught outside, and declawed cats are even more at risk.

Indoor Cats Don’t Create Neighbor Problems

A lot of cats will venture into neighbors’ yards when allowed to roam free, and the result can be an unhappy neighbor. People who don’t like cats will not tolerate cats using their gardens as litter boxes, and will sometimes resort to extreme measures to keep the cats out. At the very least, a neighbor may call the local animal control to pick up the “stray” cat.

Indoor Cats Rarely Get Abscesses From Fighting

Cats are very territorial and will defend their territory to the death, if challenged by another cat. At the very least, these territorial battles often result in abscessed wounds, which can be deadly if not treated in time.

Indoor Cats Are Safe From Human Abuse

Freely-roaming cats are easy targets for gangs of youths with time on their hands, for cat-haters, who seek cats out for target practice, and for neighbors who would think nothing of killing a cat for trespassing on their property.

Indoor Cats Can Get Plenty of Exercise

Cats do get exercise, but they can get it safely with interactive toys, climbing towers, scratchings posts, and other indoor toys; all much safer than running from dogs or fighting with other cats. Remember also that there are safe projects you can do to give them the outdoor experience.

Indoor Cats Are not a Danger to Wildlife

Let’s face it; cats are predators and left on their own outdoors, will eventually chase and kill birds, rabbits, and other small wildlife. Most of us I think would rather not see our cats cast in a killer role, and keeping them indoors will help protect wildlife to some degree.

Indoor Cats Don’t Get Lost

As outdoor cats widen their outdoor territories, they may become lost long enough to be “rescued” by other cat lovers, legitimate rescue groups, or picked up by animal control as strays. Statistics show that of “owned” cats turned in to shelters, only three percent are eventually relocated with their owners. Collars can break, and even microchips do not guarantee a cat will not be adopted and kept as an indoor cat by someone else. Why take the chance?

Indoor Cats Are Not Stolen

Even this was new to me, but there are supposedly people called Bunchers. They are people who sell cats to laboratories for animal experimentation or research. Their prime source of cats is on the street. Even a cat sitting on his front lawn is fair game for a buncher. Other people pick up cats for use as “bait” for training fighting dogs. Both of these are not something I want happening to any cat. Remember that an indoor cat is always safer. Keep your Orlando pet safe.

This post was submitted by Kimberly Louloudis who is the owner of Fetch! Pet Care of East Orange County and Northeast Orlando. Fetch! Pet Care provides a variety of pet services in your area.  Call us today for more information at 407-545-8196. Kimberly is a certified dog trainer and member of APDT.

Puppy Love: A Tribute To The 60′s

It’s that time of year again for your furry friends favorite walk for a good cause. The SPCA is holding it’s 17th Annual Fund-Raising Pet Walk again at Downtown Lake Eola. There will be contest, refreshments, treats and pet business too.

You can still begin fund-raising or make a donation to help the SPCA find loving permanet homes for all the needy Orlando pets. Also, be sure and stop by our Fetch! booth and enter our “Guess How Many Treats Are In The Jar” contest. You can win a $75.00 SPCA gift card good for the low cost clinic or to adopt a new furry friend and a $50.00 Fetch Pet Care gift certificate.

So bring your groovy Orlando dog and join us for a fun-filled day of peace and love for a good cause.

“I guarantee you this place will blow your mind”

This post was submitted by Kimberly Louloudis who is the owner of Fetch! Pet Care of East Orange County and Northeast Orlando. Fetch! Pet Care provides a variety of pet services in your area.  Call us today for more information at 407-545-8196. Kimberly is a certified dog trainer and member of APDT.

The Importance Of Pet Identification

You might think that it can never happen to your dog. But doors and fences are not escape proof and there are so many different circumstances that can lead to a dog getting lost.

I recently found a lost little Orlando dog on one of the coldest days we have had this year. I had just arrived to do a pet visit when I saw the little guy next door. I thought he was just going potty so I went on in to do my visit. I returned about 25 minutes later to find the dog by my van door shivering.

I expected someone to come out any minute and call for the little dog but this did not happen. He did not have any collar or tags on either. I spent the next several days knocking on doors, driving around asking people in the neighborhood, putting up signs and taking him to local vets to see if anybody recognized him. Nor did he have a micro-chip.

Once your Orlando pet is lost, it is now at the mercy of the environment. Most lost dogs are found less than a mile from home, but many are never returned because the owner could not be reached immediately. The faster you can be contacted, the greater your chance is of being reunited with your “best friend. “

To help a lost dog’s safe  and speedy return, your dog should have a collar on. On the collar should be an up-to-date pet ID tag with current contact information. Studies show that the first thing someone will do when they find a dog, is to look for a tag. I can’t tell you how many dogs I have reunited with their owners because they had their tags on and what a wonderful feeling it was to help the dog get home.

No matter what system you use (micro-chipping, tattooing, pet ID tag, etc.) your dog’s information must be up to date.

As for the little dog I found, he has a new forever home with me. We call him Sammy and he has the tags to prove it.

This post was submitted by Kimberly Louloudis who is the owner of Fetch! Pet Care of East Orange County and Northeast Orlando. Fetch! Pet Care provides a variety of pet services in your area.  Call us today for more information at 407-545-8196. Kimberly is a certified dog trainer and member of APDT.

Training is key to keeping dogs from being surrendered to animal shelters. Hundreds of thousands of dogs are given up because their owners can’t cope with their behavior — and don’t have reliable access to training resources.

National Train Your Dog Month is aimed at teaching owners the importance of training and socializing their dogs, and that training can be easy and fun.

The event is scheduled in January because so many dogs and puppies are adopted during the winter holidays.

This year, the APDT, building on the success of its first annual Train Your Dog Month in 2010, is reaching out to dog owners by making free training materials available for download from the event website.

Dog trainers and the general public are also invited to enter their photos and videos in sponsored contests aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of training.

Owners, shelters and others in the pet care community can learn more about dog training at the event website.

Founded in 1993, the APDT, with more than 5,000 members, is the largest professional organization of dog trainers in the world. The APDT believes that a better understanding of dog behavior can lead to a happier, healthier experience for both dogs and humans.

For more information and resources, visit the website.

This post was submitted by Kimberly Louloudis who is the owner of Fetch! Pet Care of East Orange County and Northeast Orlando. Fetch! Pet Care provides a variety of pet services in your area.  Call us today for more information at 407-545-8196. Kimberly is a certified dog trainer and member of APDT.