Happy New Year!

Happy new year from all of us at Happy Tails! If you’re anything like us and our team, the travel itch still wasn’t quite scratched in 2022, so we expect more trips and travels in the year ahead, meaning sitters will probably be needed! Well, that’s where we come in!

We may be busy celebrating our 10-year anniversary of being in business (whoop whoop!), but we’ll always find time to care for your fur babies while you’re away. So that winter vacation to escape the Midwest cold, we’ve got you covered!

Read on for our family and sitter spotlight as well as a special feature celebrating Happy Tails’ 10 year anniversary! Stay warm and enjoy!

Client Spotlight: Kathy & Mitch

When Kathy and Mitch Klass were looking for someone to watch their three cats, they knew they needed someone they could trust. Having known Carly for some time, they turned to Happy Tails to find a sitter who could take care of Pepper, Rob, and Kali.

While Kathy and Mitch did not originally intend to have three furry friends at home, they are all family now and they couldn’t imagine life without any of them. They initially adopted Rob from the Humane Society when he was just weeks old for Mitch’s mom, but when she was not able to keep Rob, Kathy and Mitch decided to and they are glad they did as Rob is the most cuddly and vocal of the three cats.

Knowing that the Happy Tails sitters genuinely love and enjoy being around the kitties is a difference-maker for Kathy and Mitch. Their favorite part of the experience is receiving stories from the sitter each and every day they are away from their furry friends.

“The sitters' interactions with the cats are our favorites and always a highlight of the day when we are traveling, not to mention a comfort,” the Klass’ said.

Debbie has come to be their go-to sitter whenever possible as she knows the cats inside and out and what to expect. Knowing the distinct personalities of each cat is what sets Debbie apart, the Klass’ said, as she knows what to do to provide comfort to our cats when they are away traveling. “We are so grateful to her!” Kathy said.

Client Spotlight Collaboration

This month, Happy Tails is proud to work with our featured clients, Mitch and Kathy, to spread awareness and sponsor the mission work that they do! As Kathy and owner Carly have known each other for 20+ years, we have been following the work that she has been a part of. Kathy leads a medical team to the mountains of northwest Kenya to serve at a small, very rural and poor, mission hospital there. On the last trip in October – she was able to engage in the community there more and visited a school. In Kenya- most send their children to “boarding school” (nothing like a boarding school in the US) as the village schools are so bad. She was so inspired by the student’s desire for education and how proudly they wore their tattered and torn uniforms. She saw that 4 students shared worn-out books and the conditions they are living in and sleeping in – are not conducive to all they need to accomplish. Their dorms are not heated and have no electricity – a clapboard room with bunks and one blanket. Their daily food allotment would amount to one meal in the US. But this is what they will sacrifice for education. Happy Tails asks for your to help Kathy build warm and light dorms for these children and provide nutrition so they can learn. Please consider making a donation using the link below.

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Sitter Spotlight: Happy Tails is Celebrating 10 Years in Business!

While Happy Tails may have started nearly 20 years informally when Carly was only 7 years old watching her neighbor’s furry friends as her first taste of pet sitting, this year marks 10 years since Happy Tails officially launched.

Carly couldn’t be more proud of where the business has taken her and the friendships with both humans and furry companions along the way.

“It’s been such a wild ride,” Carly said. “I could have never imagined at age 8 or 18 that Happy Tails would grow into what it has become today. I’m so grateful for all the families who have let Happy Tails into their homes and trusted us to care for their furry friends.”

Since officially rebranding to Happy Tails Pet Care 5 years ago, the business now serves two cities in Columbus and Cleveland, and has grown the client list to more than 800 homes filled with countless pets.

While Carly has taken a bit of a step back from the level of in-home care, she is more involved than ever on the business and administrative side of Happy Tails. She credits her amazing and growing team of sitters for the continued success.

As for what’s next? Carly and Happy Tails have big plans for the next 10 years, but in the meantime, she and the team are staying busy keeping up with all the clients still scratching their travel itch.

“This truly wouldn't have been possible without the support of my network and the trust of our early clients who really helped this homegrown business thrive through word of mouth and references,” Carly added. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds!”

Cold Weather and Pets

It is true that different pets adapt differently to cold weather. There are some dog breeds that are made for cold weather, like malamutes, huskies, and other breeds with thick coats. If you have a winter-loving dog, you probably struggle to get them to actually come inside during the cold winter months. And we know that struggle is real!

The same goes for cats. Breeds like the Maine Coon and Siberian cats are less likely to be immediately affected by the cold, but all cats can be susceptible to cold weather. Hypothermia is a real concern for all our pets.

Pro-tip: Check your pet’s temperature on a monthly basis so you know their baseline. It will help you know if they are running hot or cold based on their own history.

The safest bet for our pets is to keep them inside as much as possible when the temperature outside drops below freezing.

If your dog or cat loves the cold, consult your vet. Your vet will know your pet and can advise you specifically for your pet’s health so you can be sure you are taking steps to keep your pets safe in wintertime cold weather.

Will Salt and Ice Melts Harm My Dog or Cat?

Many of us use salt or ice melts of some type to keep sidewalks and driveways free of ice and hazards for ourselves. However, these substances can be irritating to your pet’s paws and even to their mouth and intestinal tract if they lick the substance off of their paws and ingest it.

When buying your own salt or ice melts, do your research first. There are pet-friendly and safe ice melts that do not pose a threat to your pets or children or plants. Be sure to check the ingredients of what you have on hand, and maybe consider changing it up for safety.

If you take your dog or your cat outside and notice there might be ice melt on the ground, be sure to clean off their paws when you return home. You can even use a warm cloth or rag so you warm up their paws, too.

Thinking of Buying or Selling? Contact Happy Tails owner Carly For Your Free Market Review!

Moving to a new home may be one of the most stressful life events you’ll ever have to tackle. But in the chaos of cardboard boxes, packing tape and moving trucks, you might not realize how stressed your pets feel, too. Read on for ways to make the transition as safe and easy as possible for your furry friends.

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Moving Tips

Choosing a New Neighborhood, House or Apartment

Before you pick out your dream home, make sure your pet will love it just as much as you do. It’s a good idea to walk around the neighborhood to determine whether the area seems safe for your pets. Be on the lookout for neighborhood dogs that seem aggressive or are left unattended.

When it comes to square footage needs, cats and dogs differ:

For your feline friends, ensure your potential new space allows for plenty of room to build vertically—it’s easy to create a lot of vertical space with shelving, such as kitty blocks on top of furniture.

Consider your dog’s needs on a case-by-case basis. Older dogs, puppies and dogs with house training issues will need to go outside often, which might be difficult in an apartment building with lots of stairs or a house without a yard.

Packing Up Your Home

Cats aren’t big fans of change. You can help your cats (and skittish dogs) adjust to the moving process by bringing in moving boxes early, and by keeping your furry friends in a familiar room you plan to pack up last. On moving day, keep your pets in a quiet room with the door shut, or at a friend’s house. This will ensure that your cat or dog won’t get scared and try to make a quick getaway while the movers load up the truck. During the moving process, try to keep your pet’s routine as normal as possible.

Planning Your Road Trip

Many pets haven’t spent much time in crates or cars. In the weeks or months leading up to the big trip:

Prepare your pets by gradually acclimating them to their crates. First, place their food inside an open crate, and eventually have them eat their meals in the crate with the door shut.

Try carrying your pets around the house in the crate or taking a short drive.

You can help your pets develop a positive association with the crate by providing treats and playtime at the conclusion of crate time.

Taking these steps will make moving day a lot more comfortable for you and your furry friends.

Pet-Proofing Your New Home

It is a good idea to pet-proof your new home. Tuck away electrical cords, plug up nooks where your pet could get stuck, make sure that all windows have secure screens, remove any poisonous houseplants and confirm that no pest-control poison traps have been left anywhere in the house.

Settling In

When you arrive at your new home at the end of your long journey, it will be tempting to set your dog or cat loose in the house to explore. However, a new and unfamiliar space can be overwhelming to your pets.

Start by allowing them to adjust to one room—their “home base”—which should include their favorite toys, treats, water and food bowls and litter box for cats.

When they seem comfortable, gradually introduce them to other rooms in the house, while keeping some doors shut.

You can relocate your cat’s litter box from the “home base” room to a more permanent location by moving it slowly over time. Try moving the litter box one foot forward each day.

With patience, your cat or dog will be king or queen of your new home in no time.