Getting Our Fur Babies Ready for the Summer Ahead

This post is sponsored and written by me on behalf of Petcurean through a campaign managed by their PR. All opinions are my own.

It is hard to believe that we are already in the month of May, but it is true. Which for me and I am sure many others out there, means it is time to prepare for the fun to be had this summer. Like many, this means not only preparing for the fun to be had with our kids, but also the fun we will be having with our fur babies. And like many, we are not only proud parents of a older rescue dog, but also want to ensure that as we prepare for summer fun that we have the tools needed to ensure everyone’s safety as well. So when the people from Petcurean told me about two really great things to share with our readers, I was excited to add them both to our line up of summer fun with our fur babies!

To get started, I found the information provided by the experts at Petcurean on microchips for pets to be very valuable. These are a must have in my book, and with summer vacation plans coming up, having our fur babies microchipped can make all the difference in how our summer goes. You can read more on microchips and what exactly they do below:

If your pet got lost, would you be able to find them?  Unless you have super powers, your best bet for being reunited with your furry friend is to have them microchipped. ( And, it’s your best bet even if you do have super powers – even Spiderman relies on microchips!)

In honor of National Chip Your Pet Month (May), Aimee Gilbreath of Michelson Found Animals Foundation, the creator of the first, free national microchip registry, is answering all your questions about microchips, below.  If you have additional questions or would like to speak with Aimee, just let me know!

·         What are microchips?

o   Microchips are rice sized chips that are scannable and contain your pet’s unique number, it’s like their social security number. This can be scanned by a shelter or vet, and the number is used to find the pet’s owner.  It is not a GPS device and does not contain any personal information.

·         Why do I need a microchip?

o   Pets get lost all the time – they run off, slip out of collars and slide through gates.  No one likes to think about losing a pet – but being prepared just in case will increase the likelihood that they’ll get back to you and give you peace of mind.

·         Does it hurt my pet?

o   Implanting a microchip is a simple procedure and vets say it’s like getting a vaccine. Once it’s implanted, it stays in place and lasts for their lifetime.

·         Where do I get my pet microchipped?

o   When you adopt a pet, they are usually microchipped at the shelter.  Veterinary offices also do the procedure. 

·         Do I need to do anything else once I get a microchip?

o   Yes, the microchip only works if you’ve registered it – go to foundanimals.org, the first free national microchip registry, and enter your information.  Remember to keep it updated if your phone number or address changes.  This ensures that you can be contacted if your pet is found.

Then to make those summers even more special, right now, the people from Petcurean are hosting an amazing contest that is open to shelters in Seattle, Oregon, Vancouver and Toronto! With this, Petcurean has created a really fun contest with the goal of increasing adoption of “underdogs” – dogs who are traditionally less likely to get adopted due to age, appearance, or other issues. By inspiring people to see beyond these so-called imperfections and focus on the amazing heart and spirit of the dogs, the contest will help underdogs find the loving homes they deserve. Which for my family and I, really hits home since our senior dog Chloe was a underdog that we adopted when she was 5, just 10 years ago! You can read more about this incentive and how you can participate by reading the information provided by the people from Petcurean below:

As part of its commitment to putting pets first, premium pet food manufacturer, Petcurean , is pleased to announce its “Uplift the Underdogs Contest,” an online contest open to all rescue groups and animal shelters located in Seattle and Portland, and their surrounding areas. Open now through June 1, the contest will help increase adoption consideration for “underdogs” – dogs who are traditionally less likely to get adopted due to age, appearance, or other issues. By inspiring people to see beyond these so-called imperfections and focus on the amazing heart and spirit of the dogs, the contest will help underdogs find the loving homes they deserve.

In 2017, nearly 13,000 dogs were rescued by the Seattle Humane Society and Oregon Humane Society alone¹. When you factor in dogs rescued by other local rescue groups and shelters, this already impressive number climbs much higher.  While some dogs get adopted very quickly, others have a much harder time finding their forever home.

The Uplift the Underdogs contest intends to shine a light on dogs that were rescued but haven’t been adopted and still need loving homes. Rescue organizations are encouraged to submit details about their most deserving dogs for the chance to win a lifetime supply of Petcurean’s GO! Solutions® food for the winning dog and a 500lb donation of pet food to the shelter or rescue group.

“We believe all dogs are deserving of forever homes. Whether they’re older, have dietary issues, aren’t conventionally cute, or face unique challenges of any sort. We want to encourage people to give these overlooked dogs forever homes,” said Christine Mallier, PR & Community Relations Manager at Petcurean. “It’s what’s inside that counts and these dogs all have so much love to give. At Petcurean, we recognize and celebrate the unique traits that each individual dog has and are committed to helping them live healthy, happy lives full of love.” 

After completing the online application form, two finalists from each city will move to the next round, along with four finalists from Canada.  During this round, consumers will vote for their favorite dog through Petcurean’s Facebook and Instagram. The dog that receives the most comments and likes over one week will be awarded the grand prize. The winner will be announced on June 18.

Prizing details:

Grand Prize

• Lifetime supply of Petcurean’s GO! Solutions dog food

• Feature in a Petcurean marketing campaign
• Promotion on Petcurean’s website and social channels
• Free make-over grooming service
• 500lb donation of Petcurean pet food to the winning dog’s shelter/rescue group
• A Petcurean gift basket filled with supplies, toys and more

All Finalists

• 1-year supply of Petcurean’s GO! Solutions dog food
• Free make-over grooming service
• 500lb donation of Petcurean pet food to the winning dog’s shelter
• A Petcurean gift basket filled with supplies, toys and more

“Shelter dogs are already underdogs due to a lot of misconceptions about how they wind up there in the first place.  And those with “issues” are the underdogs of the underdogs, having a much harder time finding their forever home,” continued Mallier. “We hope that all dogs featured in the contest find forever homes, and we encourage all rescue organizations and shelters in the area to participate, as this is a great opportunity to generate more visibility and awareness for these groups who tirelessly advocate for the adoption and welfare of pets day and night.”

For more information on Petcurean’s Uplift the Underdog contest and to enter, visit  www.petcurean.com/underdog. Eligibility restrictions apply. Entry is open now through June 1, 2018.

GO! Solutions is available at independent pet specialty retailers nationwide. For more information about GO! or to find out which recipe is best for your pet, visit www.PetcureanGO.com .

So as you go to prepare for your summer, be sure to not only stock up on products from Petcurean, but also have your fur babies microchipped and consider adopting by adding a very loving and adorable underdog to you family!