Thursday, May 26, 2011

Six Tips for a Pet-Safe Summer

The last days of May signal the unofficial start of summer for most folks, young and old, across the country. But with these carefree months of no homework and summer Fridays comes an increased risk for illness or injury for our furry pals.

From unpredictable weather to unusual routines, our animals are exposed to all sorts of hazards during June, July and August, and your pet is counting on you to keep him safe. Check out the ASPCA’s top six tips for keeping your animal secure all summer long.



  1. Give your pet access to plenty of fresh water at all times. Even the healthiest pets can suffer from dehydration, heat stroke and sunburn if overexposed to the heat.

  2. Avoid lathering your pet with any insect repellent or sunscreen not intended for the four-legged kind.


  3. Keep your pet away from matches, citronella candles and lighter fluid, which if eaten can irritate the stomach, lungs and central nervous system.


  4. Be cool near the pool. Don't leave pets unsupervised around a pool, lake or high waters—not all dogs are expert swimmers!


  5. Never leave your dog, cat or any other animal friend alone in a car! The inside of a car can heat up very quickly—even with a window open.


  6. Be prepared! From tornadoes to floods, we've seen the devastation severe weather has brought to pets and their families these past few weeks. Develop an evacuation plan well ahead of time in case you're forced from your home in an emergency.

Have a pet-safe summer!

Ciao,
Vinnie

Monday, March 7, 2011

Strap Yourself In...Airlines To Load On More Fees

In recent years, airlines have found new ways to boost their profits and at the same time annoy fliers. They are charging fees for checked bags, selecting choice seats, consuming snacks among other services that once were included in their ticket prices. Since 2008, their hands have been outstretched, snatching money out of our purses in the form of fees to the tune of $22 billion in 2010 alone ,which is about 5% of the global industry revenue.


Carriers are looking to tap into billions and billions of potential revenue and right now are only scratching the surface with baggage and seat fees. Some airlines are already charging fees for early boarding since overhead bin space has become a premium due to an increase in carry-on luggage. So be on the lookout for advanced seat assignment fees, fees to watch movies, fees for WiFi access, fees to purchase food in Coach, fees for transporting minors and pets, fees for having reservations agents book a ticket and perhaps even fees to use the lavatories. As carriers continue to feel the pinch of higher fuel prices, they will get more and more creative with the ways they seek to create new revenue sources.

Ciao,
Vinnie