Other Suggestions for Keeping Pets Safe and Comfortable During Long Weekend Away

Paola Osorio says this is also the time of year a lot of animals disappear. Sometimes they escape looking for food or water. She says having someone you trust check on them is always a good idea, and they can be kept calmer and happier if you leave a shirt with them so they can smell their loved ones while they are away.

Paola Osorio

Paola Osorio, Public Relations Officer, Orange Walk Humane Society

“Is the yard secure enough for them not to come out – not to escape? Because this is also a time when pets go missing. They can go missing because they are looking for food, they’re looking for shelter, they’re looking for water, especially if the family has not made those arrangements. You know, not everybody has the same extent of love for them, like maybe I have mine in the house and I love them like my babies. And I can respect other people not sharing that, but when it comes to the responsibilities that we have to provide – shelter, food, veterinary care, making arrangements for them – all of that does count. They are part of our family because they are in our household. We are responsible for them and they grow attached to us. So, if we’re going to be leaving for an amount of time, I would encourage pet owners to leave a part of them behind. Leave them a shirt that smells like you that they can sleep with. I’ve heard being said of babies and small children to leave them a shirt for the adults they’re attached to. The same thing can be done for the pets. If we have a neighbour that we can trust going into our yard, our house— a lot of times people go on vacation and they ask somebody to go and turn on the lights at night and  to turn them off in the morning— And I think part of that, those relationships we have with people can be extended to our pets. If you’re already at my house can you please give my dog some water? Can you please give my chickens some of their feed?”