YOUR PET’S COMFORT— AND YOURS

• All pets must have a collar and a leash; if your pet manages to run off, identification on the collar will help reunite you with him or her. These also help you keep your pet under control.

• Calm and relax your pet before the event through walking or exercise. You can also spend some extra bonding time with him or her so that he or she won’t be aggressive from frustration during the fair.

• Bring a separate drinking container. If you can, purchase a collapsible or fold-away container. Pets need water as they can easily get dehydrated; you can also cool them off with the water if need be. Spare yourself the mess and difficulty of trying to give your pet water from a water bottle designed for humans.

• Rain or shine, provide shade for your pet. Cats and dogs cannot sweat the way we do and thus have a harder time dealing with heat. On this note, be sure to touch the ground before walking a pet on it; if it’s too hot for you, think of what it feels like for your pet’s feet.

• If you have a small dog, consider bringing a carrier for it. They can’t cover as much ground as the bigger dogs without getting tired, and sometimes, they can get intimidated by bigger dogs. Or you can carry your pet yourself if it starts getting antsy!

• You also have to take care of yourself: if it’s an open-air venue, bring sunscreen; if it’s raining and the venue is outdoors, bring a raincoat (umbrellas get in the way!); and don’t forget to stay hydrated too!

• If your pet is sick, do not bring it to a pet fair, especially if it hasn’t had its shots! This is beyond rude and inconsiderate; you may cause other pet owners grief if their dog or cat dies from a disease it picked up from your pet.

• Stay alert, because accidents do happen; sometimes animals get loose and it’s best to be ready so that you don’t get bowled over.