April 11, 2024
National Pet Day is observed on April 11 each year and celebrates the relationship we have with our beloved pet(s). This holiday also helps to highlight and bring awareness to the many pets who are eagerly awaiting their forever home.
According to HelpGuide.org, pets not only provide a great sense of comfort and belonging, but they can also help us live healthier lives. Caring for pets can increase physical activity through regular walks, provide companionship, reduce anxiety, help manage stress, help us meet new people, add structure to our days, and help individuals who have specific health conditions (such as ADHD or autism).
As you come home to your loyal companion on National Pet Day, be sure to give your furry/feathery/scaly friend an extra snuggle to say thank you for the memories you’ve made together, and all the good they bring into your life.
Ways to celebrate your pet:
- Special treats! Try out some homemade treat recipes or spoil them with one of their favorites.
- Spend time with your pet! Take a long walk, break out their favorite toy, schedule an extra cuddle session, or discover new enrichment ideas to entertain them at home.
- Schedule their annual wellness visit to make sure they are staying healthy.
- Make safe improvements to their living space.
As you’re celebrating National Pet Day, this is also a great time to make sure your pets are safe from preventable diseases, like rabies, during the spring and summer months ahead. The best way to protect your pet from rabies is by ensuring they are up to date on their rabies vaccination.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly all the pets who get rabies had not received or were not up to date on rabies vaccination. Most pets get rabies from having contact with wildlife. Keeping your pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations will help prevent them from getting rabies from wildlife, which will prevent possible transmission to you and your family.
Protect your pets from rabies:
- Vaccinate your pets against rabies. Rabies shots need to be boosted, be sure to check your pet’s records or talk to your veterinarian.
- When walking or hiking with your dog, protect them and wildlife by keeping your dog on a leash.
- Keep cats and other pets inside at night to reduce the risk of exposure to wildlife. Keep dogs within your sight (in a fenced yard, or on leash) during the day while outside.
- Contact your veterinarian promptly if you believe your pet has been exposed to a wild animal.
- Do not touch or feed any wild animals. Wild animals like skunks and foxes adapt to residential environments if food is available – please don’t leave pet food outdoors.
- If you, a family member, or a pet is bitten or scratched by a wild animal, call your doctor and EPCPH at (719) 578-3220 or (719) 235-2278 after hours.
- Seal houses to prevent bats and other animals from nesting, and if already present, use a professional animal removal service. More information is available at www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats/management.
- If you encounter a lost or stray dog or cat, contact the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region for options (719) 473-1741.
- To report an animal bite from a domestic or wild animal, go to https://www.elpasocountyhealth.org/infectious-diseases-public-health-response/infectious-diseases/report-animal-bite/
Quick Links:
- Looking for a new forever friend? Check out the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.
- Report an animal bite.
Resources:
- The health and mood-boosting benefits of pets (HelpGuide.org).
- Learn more about rabies (El Paso County Public Health).
- Learn more about animals and rabies (CDC).