Caring for your dog

Dog Day Afternoon entrant

Kennelling
* Inside dog - provide your dog with it's own bed or basket
* Outside dog - a kennel that is dry, draught free, well drained, free of faeces and protected from all types of weather, ideally with an attached run
Good varied nutritional diet including cooked meat, fresh meat, biscuits, vegetables, rice, bones, vitamin and mineral supplements and fresh water.
Three-monthly worming and annual vaccinations.
Spaying or neutering, for prevention of unwanted dogs.
Daily grooming of your dog, allowing you the chance to inspect your dog and notice any problems that may be developing, e.g. skin problems, flea infestations. Check ears and teeth and clip nails carefully with proper nail clippers. Check rural dogs for 'ticks'.
Providing adequate care for your dog when it is unwell, if in doubt consult your veterinarian.
Obedience training is highly recommended, beneficial to you and your dog. No dog is too old to learn.
Provide your dog with adequate and controlled exercise.
Love, attention and entertainment for your dog on a daily basis.

Two boxer X dogs

Be sure your emergency evacuation plan includes your pets. The following information and tips are provided to help you develop such a plan.

Never leave your pet behind unless circumstances prevent you from taking them. Re-uniting pets with owners is difficult in the aftermath of a disaster
Keep your pet’s vaccines up-to-date and have paperwork in a place where you can find it quickly
Be prepared – it’s possible disruptions could be for extended periods of time
Have a plan and practise it – this will help you accomplish a successful evacuation and maintain the safety of your animals and pets
Assemble an animal evacuation kit – this will vary for different animals but for dogs and cats consider:

food supply and water
copy of veterinarian book
proof of ownership
copy of microchip certificate – this is a unique identifier which stays with the animal under any circumstances and is highly recommended. Scanning will identify the owner’s details and greatly assist in re-uniting pets with their owners
current photos of pet
collar, lead, muzzle
registration tag – displaying the current registration tag (of a dog) will also readily assist cCuncil with identifying the matching owner details
carrier
bowls
list of medications
list of emergency contact numbers
tag with current contact details (phone no, address, name, relative’s phone no, etc)

Label everything clearly for easy identification
Pre-arrange an evacuation site for animals outside immediate area – at a friend or relative’s home possibly
Identify alternate sources of food and water
If evacuation is impossible, decide on best and safest housing location where animals could be held
If you must leave animals behind, put stickers on front and back doors of your home to notify rescue personnel that animals are on the property and list the number, type and location for ease of rescue.

Animal Care and Control Centre
217 Ellis Street
Frankton
Hamilton City Council
Private Bag 3010
Hamilton 3240
Phone: 838 6632
Fax: 838 6915