Summer Safety

Greetings from the Blogosphere, my friends.  Missi Salzberg here to bring you the first edition of Bad Dog Bloggin,' my blog here at groomingbusiness.com.  A few times a month, I will be sitting down to talk about issues, ideas, and stories from the grooming and professional pet care world.  These blogs will be based on whatever is going on in my head, in my shop, in the industry, or in the world and will be a mix of amusing, insightful and informative.  Hopefully, it will bring a new idea for your business, a new way of looking at an old issue, or at the very least, a smile to you face.

Just a few moments ago, I walked outside my grooming salon here in Massachusetts, where the weather today is beautiful.  It is in the low 80s and the humidity is minimal.  Walking down the sidewalk to my friend's bird and reptile shop, I noticed an American Bulldog poking his big, fat shiny schnoz out the window, which was cracked about three inches. He was panting and obviously uncomfortable. As I prepared to whip out my megaphone and demand all visitors to the plaza report immediately to the parking lot, the owner came strolling out of the adjoining business and merrily made her way back to her vehicle.  Another disaster averted, but it got me to thinking...

People love their pets, but they are not aware of how quickly heat can hurt, or even kill a dog left in a car.  As a professional pet pro, I consider it our duty to inform and educate the pet-loving masses.  By putting together a 'Summer Safety Checklist' with your businesses letter head, you can offer up some great information for your customers and maybe even save a life.  I have done these checklists before and kept them on my counter by the cash register.  On one side, they feature the safety tips for your customers, and on the other side, your business information.  Tell your customers to take few and share them with other pet owners.  Drop some off at the local veterinarians and kennels.  It's easy public relations and it's for the safety of the pets we love.

One year, I put a sign on the rear side of the fact sheet listing, "If it's 80 degrees outside, it can be over 100 degrees in this car!"  This was an invation to my customers to take a few sheets and keep them handy in their own automobiles just in case.  If a little guerilla education is what it takes, then so be it, but heat stroke can occur in a matter of minutes in an closed car.

Other quick tips for your summer safety checklist:

• Be certain your pets have access to plenty of fresh water

• During summer travels, have a seperate tag made with your vacation information and cell phone number, just in case

• Be certain that any lawn services you use are pet safe and don't use toxic chemicals on your lawn

• Be aware of short-coated dogs and the sun!  Yes, they get sun burned!

These are just a few tips.  There are many summer safety ideas on the internet brought to you by humane societies and kennel clubs  Take a few minutes and make your list.  Your customers will thank you for it. 

Until next time, this is the Bad Dog, Bloggin' out!

If there are any topics you'd like Missi to discuss, fell free to contact us at mkalaygian@petbusiness.com and we'll let her know.