Safety Tips for Taking an End of Summer Vacation with Your Pets, and Meet our DeKalb County Pets of the Week

By KAREN HIRSCH (Star Patcher)

As summer comes to an end, many people are taking last-minute vacations and bringing their pets. If you’ll be travelling with your pet soon, here are some tips to keep them happy and safe:

1. Comforts of home: Pack your dogs’ own bedding and toys, so they’ll have a few familiar items with them. Also, don’t forget food and water bowls, a container of water for the car ride, leash, medications (if applicable) and a well-stocked first-aid kit.
2. Quell nausea. If your any of your dogs get motion sickness in the car, call your veterinarian to find out if anti-nausea medicine will work for them.
3. Keep anxious passengers calm. Your veterinarian can give you sedatives to relax them during the drive.
4. Protect your pets. Be sure to use dog seatbelts, so that your dogs are restrained in case of an accident. This will also prevent them from jumping around the car, or dashing out when the door is opened.
5. Keep your dogs relieved and hydrated. Your dog can’t tell you when they need to ‘go,’ so don’t forget to stop every few hours for potty breaks. Also, offer your dogs water during this time.
6. Plan for the unexpected. Even with precautions, your dogs can slip out and get lost. Make sure that your pets are microchipped and wearing proper identification before they get in the car.

Now that you know how to make dogs comfortable while traveling, why not adopt one to travel with? How about our Pets of the Week?

LifeLine Animal Project’s DeKalb County Pets of the Week: Wilhelmina and Westley

If you are looking for a wiggly, people loving girl, you must meet Wilhelmina! This one-year-old love bug has more than enough love to give your whole family and cannot image her life without people. Wilhelmina also enjoys toys, playing with other dogs and giving kisses. Since she is treat motivated, she is very easy to train and already knows how to sit! She also does a happy dance whenever she sees a treat. Wilhelmina is great on a leash and will walk right beside you. If you adopt Wilhelmina during our August “Tail End of Summer” special, and the use the coupon found here: www.lifelineanimal.org, you’ll pay only $10! This includes her spay, vaccines and microchip. So come and meet her at the shelter today!

Our next Pet of the Week is Westley, and this sweet guy is up for anything. Whether you want to spend your morning on the couch or go for a quick run, this handsome four-year-old will be ready to join you. Westley is a people pleaser so he listens well and will easily learn basic commands. He loves to sniff and explore, so leashed walks around the neighborhood sound like heaven to this boy. Westley gets along well with other dogs, and would make a great brother for any doggie sibling. If you adopt Westley during our August “Tail End of Summer” special, and the use the coupon found here: www.lifelineanimal.org, you’ll pay only $10! This includes his neuter, vaccines and microchip. Come meet Westley!

To meet either Wilhelmina or Westley, simply drop by the shelter at 845 Camp Road in Decatur, email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com or call (404) 294-2165. To view other pets available for adoption, please drop by the shelter or visit www.dekalbanimalservices.com.