April 8th is Celebrate Shelter Pets Day! Did you adopt your family pet from a shelter? If so, pay some extra attention to them. Why not have the kids get involved? Here, a local Sherman Oaks, CA vet suggests some things you can do to celebrate this special occasion with the whole family.
Treats
Treats are pretty much a go-to for celebrating any pet holiday. Buy or make your furry buddy something special! Making homemade treats can be a fun project for the kids! Just be sure to only use ingredients that you know are safe.
Park
Many shelter pets just haven’t had much opportunity to romp and play in parks. Take Fido to a local park! Of course, this probably won’t be much fun for Fluffy. Some kitties do enjoy being taken out for strolls. If your feline pal is one of them, then by all means indulge her! Otherwise, you can get that motor going by making her a catio or just getting her a pot of fresh cat grass to nibble on.
Toys
Toys are very important to your pet’s health and well-being. They not only entertain your furry pal, they also provide stimulation and enrichment, and help prevent boredom. Plus, playtime is a great chance to bond with your four-legged friend. Have the kids make some homemade pet toys. You’ll find some great options online. Just stick with ones you know are safe.
Art
Art is really a wonderful way for kids to learn to express themselves. Have your little ones draw a picture of their furry best friend, or perhaps write a poem or story about them. This can also be a good chance to explain how and why pets end up in shelters, and how sad and scary this is for them. That’s a great way to teach kids about empathy!
Adopt
There’s really no better way to celebrate this special day than to adopt a shelter pet. Of course, this is a huge decision. Make sure that you’re ready, willing, and able to provide that pet with great care for the rest of their lives. That said, the ultimate celebration would be to have the whole family pick out a shelter pet to adopt!
Do you have questions about your pet’s health or care? Contact us, your local Tarzana, CA animal clinic, today!
