Posts Tagged ‘gold coast’

Pet taxi is just one of the many services that Gold Coast Pet Sitting provides to Gold Coast residents as well as many Gold Coast Boarding Kennels and Cattery clients.

We love doing pet taxi’s for clients and can do them one way or round trip.

Currently, the owner Aunty Vanessa as well as Aunty Katja are available to provide safe, secure, loving pet taxi services.

These services are gaining in popularity !

Clients who use this service use it becasue:

• They are too busy to pick up or drop off.
• Work is in the opposite direction of where they need their pet picked up or dropped off.
• They have appointments and can’t pick up or drop off to the vet or groomers.
• They can’t lift their pet into the car or are not comfortable driving with them.

Don’t be shy! Contact us today !

*We also provide pet taxi services for many Gold Coast Boarding Kennels and Cattery clients.

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Today’s blog post is courtesy of Danielle C. from Protecting Max in Dallas, Texas. Danielle is an ex-pat (Aussie) and co-founder of Association Of Pet Sitting Excellence (which I’m an active member).  The following applies to us here in Australia not just the USA. 

We get many inquiries for pet sitting services each week from pet owners and we regularly follow up with potential clients that tell us that they found a friend or neighbor that can care for the pets for this trip.

As a professional pet sitting service your friends, family or neighbors are our biggest competition.  They are there ready to help you out and care for your pets so that you don’t have to pay a service while you travel.

And don’t get us wrong we understand that owning pets can get expensive especially when you travel.  And we certainly don’t question the ability of your friends and neighbors to care for your pets – most have pets of their own.  But what happens if something goes wrong while friends and neighbors are caring for your pets.  Will you be covered?

What many pet owners don’t realize is that when you hire a professional pet care service you are really  paying for peace of mind and protection of your pets and your home.

When you hire a professional to care for your pets your pets and home are protected in three ways:

A professional pet sitting company carries liability insurance.

Pet sitting liability insurance is there for protecting you, the pet owner.  It covers your pets, and  your home and it’s contents.  If your pet is injured during your vacation then the insurance will cover all their vet bills.  If your sitter loses your keys the insurance will pay to install new locks on your home.  If the person caring for your pets leaves the water on and your house floods then the damage will be paid for by their insurance.

Of course these are all worse case scenarios and at Protecting Max in our 7 years caring for pets we have never had any of these incidents happen and we have not had to make a claim on our liability insurance.  We always take every precaution to avoid injury to your pets or damage to your home.  But if the worst does happen then you will be covered.

A professional pet care company has a back up plan

Have you ever thought about what would happen to your pets if your friend or neighbor had a life threatening emergency?  They may be in a car accident or have a sudden family emergency .  What will happen if they can’t be there to care for your pets?  Will anyone else know that they were acting as the caregivers for your pets?  Will anyone notice if your pets go without care ?

When we sign on to be your professional pet sitter we always have a back up plan.  If one of our pet sitters is injured or hospitalized then we step in to take over their jobs or assign them to another pet sitter.  Your pets will never be without care.

A note from Gold Coast Pet Sitting:   This also applies if you plan to use your friends or family to board your pets at their home. What happens if they find it is all “too much” ?  Or they have some other form of emergency where minding your pet is now an inconvenience ? Just because they adore their own pets does not (unfortunately) always translate into love for other peoples’ pets.  Case in point … we had a client recently who whilst she adored her own pets caused terrible anxiety in her friend’s dog whom she was minding due to lack of dog behaviour/psychology knowledge (her actions caused her friend’s dog to become anxious).  We were scheduled to help with walks and in the end she ended up dumping the dog back at its home (most likely not telling the friend I’m guessing).  In the end, the dog was much better off being at home (no anxiety) instead of with our client.  

A professional pet sitter knows what do do in a pet emergency

If one of your pets has a health emergency while in the care of your friends an neighbors will they be prepared and be able to act quickly?  Will they know how to give CPR or bandage a wound that is bleeding profusely?

All of our pet sitters are trained in pet first aid, know the symptoms of illness in your pets, and know who to react quickly to protect the health of your pets.  I teach pet CPR and rescue skills during my regular first aid classes which all of our pet carers attend.  They will be able to take the proper action to safegaurd your pets and they know the location of the nearest pet emergency hospital and are willing to take the time to get your pet there to be assessed by a veterinarian if required.

Most importantly when you hire a professional pet carer -  the care of your pets is our job and we take this responsibility very seriously.   Other priorities or emergencies will not stand in the way of us caring for your pets.

You can trust that we will do everything in our power to protect the safety and wellness of your pets at all times.  You can always contact us to check on your pets during your travels too and we’ll be happy to call you or text you with updates.

So next time you are traveling make sure to value the peace of mind that you will get from hiring a professional pet sitter to care for your pets.  We’ll love them like our own and offer you triple protection!

Make this New Year unlike any other — make a real difference in 2012 by forging a pact with your pet. These resolutions will help keep your pet happy, healthy and safe throughout the year. And well, what’s more important than that ?

Jobs 4 Pet Lovers posted on our Facebook wall….

We are looking for the Top 10 Dog Beaches on the Gold Coast. Please let us know your favourite dog friendly beach and why it is so good! We want to publish your opinions in an article ? You can either post to our wall, or email us at admin@dealsforpets.com.au

Well.

I’m excited !!

Gold Coast to Host 2018 Commonwealth Games!

It’s official…. announced at 8:00am in St Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies !

This is hands down the biggest event the Gold Coast has ever hosted and is a great opportunity to showcase our great city to the world.

 

This is going to be an exciting & eventful (and sometimes painful) seven years as we (as a city) prepare for the Games.  YES !  I personally have fond memories of the Brisbane Commonwealth Games as a very young child.  Can’t wait for the world to stand up and take notice of our wonderful city….

The Seasonal Holiday (aka Christmas) is an exciting time for most people, but it always pays to take some extra precautions with your pets. There are many dangers around at this time of year, below are some suggestions on how to ensure your cat stays safe during the Seasonal Holiday (aka Christmas) period.

OUR BIGGEST & BEST TIP IS….  Keep your cat inside the home !

Were you aware that it is illegal within the Gold Coast region to allow cats to have unrestricted access to the outdoors especially anytime after sunset and before sunrise.  Cats found outside of your property are classed as “strays”.  If you really MUST allow your cat unrestrained and mostly unsupervised access to the outside, please ensure the cat is registered and microchipped (and the microchip details are correct).   If your cat dislikes wearing a collar (Marnie is one unfortunately), this is even more reason to keep your cat inside your home.

click here for a great article: Make Your Outdoor Cat An Indoor Cat

Still want to allow your cat unrestrained and mostly unsupervised outside access?  Then please take heed of the following to ensure the safety of your cat:

Traffic / Cars:

In some neighbourhoods, this means an increase in traffic with more people coming and going visiting family, friends and other celebrations.  This is also one of the ways for cats to go missing (or die) through no fault of their own as they can sometimes curl up within an engine or the car interior itself to have a nap.  I speak from personal experience thus the reason why Marnie is an indoor cat (and so was her predecessor) as I’ve had cats go missing as well as be killed (one right in front of my eyes – not something I would wish upon any person who cares for their cat).

Ticks:

Need I say more ?  Ticks can and do kill.  Ticks are attracted to cats just as much as dogs.  The downside is that if you do not inspect your outdoor cat regularly for ticks there really is nothing more you can do to ensure their safety because a lot of the tick medications are only suitable for dogs.  Cats can find the tick medication (aka “monthly spot on treatments”) fatally toxic.    The Gold Coast region is always plauged by ticks due to our weather.

Snakes:

Snake bite poisoning is a very serious danger to cats, especially in the warmer months.  Click here for more information on first aid for cats bitten by snake bites.

Heat Stroke:

Another medical emergency is heat stroke (also known as hyperthermia). If you suspect your cat has heat stroke, seek veterinary attention immediately.  This applies for both inside and outdoor cats:  for indoor cats, ensure there is plenty of air and cool areas for your cat to enjoy; for outdoor cats, ensure there are areas where there is shade for most of the day as well as access to cool areas for your cat to enjoy.

Whilst indoor/inside cats will be a lot more safer over this period than outdoor cats – there are still many dangers to minimise or eliminate to ensure the safety of your feline family member:

Christmas Tree/Decorations

The only fool proof way to keep your cat away from your Christmas tree  is to put the tree in a room the cat can’t access. Unfortunately, this is often not practical. So the next best solution is to make the tree as safe as possible.  Real Christmas trees are more dangerous to cats than fake plastic ones. Pine needles can puncture internal organs if eaten, they are also toxic to cats. If you do have a real tree, make sure the drink stand has plenty of water to prevent the tree drying out & losing needles. It is important that your cat isn’t able to get to this water & drink it as it could result in poisoning. Ensure the tree has a good solid base so it won’t easily be knocked over by your cat. Try not to have the tree near furniture & or shelves which the cats could use to jump onto the tree.

Be careful with tinsel, if you must have it on your tree, place it at the top of the tree where the cat is less likely to be able to get at it. Tinsel can be caught around the base or move down to the intestines & stomach & cause a blockage, which will result in emergency (and costly) surgery to remove it.   A safer alternative are the strands of beads. Ornaments should be securely attached to the tree to prevent them being knocked off. Also place delicate ornaments up high where they’re less likely to be knocked off & broken. When there is nobody around, unplug Christmas lights, you may want to try applying a cat repellent  such as bitter apple to the lights to deter your cat from chewing the wires, obviously if this was to happen it could cause a fatal electric shock.

Artificial snow is toxic to cats, so is best avoided.

Candles are especially popular over the Seasonal Holiday period, be careful to make sure your cat can’t get close to lit candles.

Please note, your cat isn’t a novelty item & it’s dangerous to try & decorate your cat with ribbons etc.

Plants

Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias are all popular plants to have in the home at Christmas, especially in the northern hemisphere. These plants are toxic to cats so should be placed where your cat can’t get to them.

Food/Sweets/Chocolate

Many cat owners enjoy giving their cat the occasional treat of “human” food & generally this doesn’t harm the cat.  However, it is important to remember that some foods which are fine for humans to eat can be toxic to cats. The odd sliver of chicken or turkey (off the bone) is fine, however it really isn’t a good idea to give them large quantities of such food as this can lead to gastrointestinal problems.  Never give your cat cooked chicken or turkey bones, these bones can splinter & can become lodged in your cat’s throat or puncture the intestines & stomach. Chocolate is toxic to cats, the darker the chocolate, the more toxic. Chocolate contains both caffeine & theobromine, which are both toxic. If you suspect your cat has eaten chocolate watch for signs of restlessness & vomiting, if in doubt, see your vet.

Cats will often scavenge for food in the garbage so be aware that if you’ve covered your turkey with foil & thrown it in the bin, your cat may drag it out & chew on it which could make the cat sick. Cooked turkey bones will also attract your cat. Be aware of this & if possible, take your food scraps etc., to your outside bin.

Xmas ribbons/wrap

Rbbons etc., pose the same problem as tinsel, if eaten, it may lead to intestinal blockages. It’s important to ensure all ribbons/wrap etc., are safely disposed of.

The last danger during the Holiday Season is having someone who is without Pet CPR & First Aid skills “in charge” of the welfare of your beloved felines !

You may save a couple of dollars using friends, family or the person who is doing pet sitting for $10 per visit (generally speaking, most professional pet carers charge $20 minimum for cat sitting visits) however when presented with any pet emergency …. will they cost the cat its life due to their lack of skills ?  This situation is easily solved through having whomever is “in charge” of the care of your felines do a Pet Tech Pet CPR, First Aid and Care class which are held regularly on the Gold Coast.

“Wherever there are women, there is beauty…and there is ARTISTRY”

Come experience the collection of Artistry & Time Defiance Skin Care products !

 SPECIAL SOCIAL HOUR FOR GOLD COAST PET PARENTS (and their treasured friends!)

Date: Saturday 20th August 2011  (3rd Saturday in August)

Time: 10.30am – 12noon

LOCATION REVEALED TO THOSE WHO RSVP

Tea, Coffee & Refreshments will be provided. If you have any special dietary needs, please BYO

Socialised & vaccinated dogs are welcome ! Please BYO treats, water dish and leash.

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Boredom and variety are always inter-connected in cases of dog misbehaving. Yes. This is true. Many times, boredom can be managed with variety of materials that will distract the animals to a greater extent.  Hence, the dog may not do the abnormal or unwanted activity arising out of the boredom experienced by it.

Bored dogs may have different types of behavioral patterns.  For example, some dogs will be seen barking continuously and some may be engaged always in some digging activities.

There are many ways to get your dog out of its boredom activities. Many toys can stimulate your dog and you do not have to spend a fortune usually.   Investing in a KONG and filling it with Vitamin Gel (and letting the Gel freeze) is a great boredom buster. If they don’t like the gel, put some of their favourite kibble (dry food) in the kong and “plug” up the ends with some peanut butter. To make it extra tricky, freeze the KONG so as the peanut butter is frozen too.

These may be kept inside the crate and in particular, puppies love these items.  A buster cube with multiple treats may be placed in the dog’s shelter and the animal soon understands on how to roll the buster cube to get the treats it prefers. A Buster Cube is an ingenious toy used for simulating and activating your dog during play and feed time.  Instead of placing the food monotonously in one place, change the place of feeding suddenly.

Dog love to work for their food so make a game of it thru the use of a buster cube or even other activities.

Such actions will be helpful for removing the boredom like activity in your dog. Activities pertaining to boredom need to be redefined well by the dog owners.  This will help them to a greater extent to drive away the unwanted behavior patterns in their pet dogs.

For example, some dogs may often have destructive biting characters and will be seen biting chair, cloth, mats, and everything they can see. After ruling out the teething problem if it is a puppy, provide  it with some large sized balls, mineral mixture based bone materials, etc. Such variety of materials help to reduce the boredom related activities.

One of the best ways to help alleviate boredom in your dog is to employ a dog walker.  Gold Coast Pet Sitting offers dog walks as well as doggie adventures or doggie daycare within your home. All Gold Coast Pet Sitting Dog Walkers try to provide physical as well as mental stimulation so as you have a tired (yet happy) dog !

What are some of the ways you help alleviate boredom in your dogs ?

Dog owners love to think of their dogs as children.  “That’s my baby,” they’ll say when referring to their dogs.  They’ll refer to themselves as “Mommy” or “Daddy” when talking to their dogs as well.  And, of course, they buy their dogs toys to play with.  Choosing the right dog toys can be tricky.  People like to get cute, squeaky toys for their dogs or give them stuffed animals to chew on and carry around (the stuffed toy becomes the dog’s “baby” quite often – “Get your baby, checkers!  Checkers, where’s your baby?”) because they think it’s “adorable.”  Dog toys don’t need to be “cute.”  They need to be practical, fun for the dog, durable, and safe.

Avoid Non-Toy “Toys”

For as lovable, loyal, friendly, and playful as they are, dogs are not the brightest creatures.  They are naturally attracted to things that can cause them the most harm.  It’s important to start early with your dog, providing save toys to chew and play with while teaching the animal to avoid household items it may wish to use as toys.  Dogs love to chew on pantyhose, for example, but these could easily be partially ingested, choking the dog.  Some dogs will chew on power cords, risking a harmful (or fatal) electric shock.  Teach your dog early on what things are for chewing and playing and what things are off limits.

The Best, Safest Dog Toys

The size of a toy is an important consideration.  Kongs, balls, and other typical toys must be small enough that the dog can chew them and carry them, but not so small that they can become lodged in the dog’s mouth or throat.

Durability is a factor, especially for a dog that loves to chew.  A toy that will break apart easily can become a hazard as the small, sharp parts can be swallowed, caught in the throat, or cut the mouth and gums.  Again, a hard rubber Kong (easily one of the best dog toys ever conceived) is an excellent choice.

Softer toys, like the popular “squeak” toys made of thin plastic and full of air are good for dogs that are a bit gentler.  They’re unlikely to chew through such items and are usually attracted by the squeaking sound.

Tennis balls are great for some dogs, but poor choices for others.  This is a question of size ratios.  If the dog is too small to fit a tennis ball all the way in its mouth, then it can be an excellent toy that the dog will love but costs very little.  If the ball can fit all the way in the dog’s maw, however, it becomes a choking hazard.

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Gold Coast Pet Sitting services the following suburbs of  Carrara, Benowa, Bundall, Sorrento, Highland Park, Worongary, Merrimac, Clear Island Waters, Robina, Tallai, Gilston, Molendinar, Ashmore, Southport, Runaway Bay, Oxenford, Helensvale, Coomera, Upper Coomera, Monterey Keys, Pacific Pines, Pimpama, Hope Island, Willow Vale, Maudsland, Coombabah, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Currumbin Waters, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Andrews, Tugan, Bilinga, Coolangatta, Tugan Heights, Kirra, Varsity Lakes, Miami, Nobby Beach, Reedy Creek.

Gold Coast Pet Sitting provide caring and affordable Pet Sitting & Pet Minding services on the Gold Coast specialising within the following suburbs of Carrara, Benowa, Bundall, Sorrento, Highland Park, Worongary, Merrimac, Clear Island Waters, Robina, Tallai, Gilston, Molendinar, Ashmore, Southport, Runaway Bay, Oxenford, Helensvale, Coomera, Upper Coomera, Monterey Keys, Pacific Pines, Pimpama, Hope Island, Willow Vale, Maudsland, Coombabah, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Currumbin Waters, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Andrews, Tugan, Bilinga, Coolangatta, Tugan Heights, Kirra, Varsity Lakes, Miami, Nobby Beach, Reedy Creek and have been since late 2008.

Save the stress and have a great, relaxing holiday knowing that Gold Coast Pet Sitting will be looking after your pets in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own home.  With many years in the business, Gold Coast Pet Sitting knows that providing an in home Pet Sitting / Pet Minding service will lessen the stress caused by your absence.  They are able to take care of not only dogs and cats, but goldfish, guinea pigs, poultry, birds and any other small domesticated animal.

Unlike boarding kennels and catteries, which can be impersonal at times, Pet Sitting is a cost effective way to have your beloved pets looked after in a friendly and calm atmosphere.  The benefits of having your pet looked after in their own home are many and include:

• exposure to illness from other pets is minimised
• feeding and exercise routine is not interrupted
• no travel trauma for pets or owners

They not only provide Pet Sitting, but incorporate dog walks and are happy to administer medications if necessary.  Your pets health and safety is paramount to Gold Coast Pet Sitting and only the best of care is provided.

In fact, there are a few more services that Gold Coast Pet Sitting provides including clearing out your letterbox and put out your rubbish bins so that the home has a “lived in look” whilst you’re away.

So, for your next trip away whether it be for a few weeks or a weekend, contact Gold Coast Pet Sitting to arrange all your Pet Sitting requirements on (0420) 355 887.

Pet Sitting & Pet Minding Gold Coast

Carrara, Benowa, Bundall, Sorrento, Highland Park, Worongary, Merrimac, Clear Island Waters, Robina, Tallai, Gilston, Molendinar, Ashmore, Southport, Runaway Bay, Oxenford, Helensvale, Coomera, Upper Coomera, Monterey Keys, Pacific Pines, Pimpama, Hope Island, Willow Vale, Maudsland, Coombabah, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Currumbin Waters, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Andrews, Tugan, Bilinga, Coolangatta, Tugan Heights, Kirra, Varsity Lakes, Miami, Nobby Beach, Reedy Creek.

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