Is pet insurance worth the cost? Though they may seem confusing, the right pet insurance policy can make the difference between a $100 or a $1,000 vet bill.

http://money.msn.com/insurance/is-pet-insurance-worth-the-cost

Pool Repairman saves squirrel by preforming CPR (Viral Video)

Hurricane Preparedness

We are heading into the hurricane season and forecasters are predicting a below above average season. It only takes one like Hurricane Andrew to cause devastation. Pet owners should prepare before a hurricane is on their doorstep.

There are many things people can do to protect their beloved pets in the event of a storm.

• Make sure their pets are up to date on all their vaccines and that proof of vaccinations are in a readily accessible place. If you have to evacuate and board your pets at a boarding facility or veterinary hospital, you will have to show proof of updated vaccinations.
• Make sure any medications your pet may need are refilled. It may be days to weeks  after a hurricane makes landfall, before veterinary hospitals or pharmacies might be able to reopen.
• Consider microchipping your pet. Pets can become lost if dwellings are damaged during a storm. Microchips enhance the odds that your pet will be returned to you safely.  Make sure the microchips are registered with updated information.
• Make sure you have enough food and water for your pet for at least a week. Provide the boarding facility with both for your pet. Power and water may be lost for days to weeks after a storm hits.
• Make provisions for your large animals like horses. We bought wax markers and wrote our cell phone numbers on both sides of our horses. In the event of a hurricane where the barn is damaged, horses may wander off. We also microchipped our horses. We installed hurricane garage doors and hurricane panels on our barn and had it reinforced to withstand 140 mph winds. The barn has withstood 3 hurricanes and the horses were very safe and comfortable.
• People who are forced to evacuate should go online and find hotels and motels that are pet friendly. ( http://www.petswelcome.com/ ,  http://www.pet-friendly-hotels.net/ ). Do not wait until the last minute to get reservations.
• Contact your veterinarian long before a hurricane becomes an imminent threat and see if they have hurricane boarding facilities. Most animal hospitals are not equipped to handle that many animals in a situation where electricity and water may not be available.

Hurricane season can be extremely stressful. By following these simple steps, it will make a difficult situation easier to endure and ensure your beloved pets remain safe.