Whether it’s for the holidays or for an entire lifetime, it’s important that each of us makes our houses safe and secure—places that inspire and nurture our families and ourselves. Consider the following ways that will enhance the quality of life in your home.

• Is someone you know looking for a new animal companion? PAWS has Adoption Gift Certificates and our highly skilled adoption advisors can match the animal’s personality, temperament and needs to those of the adopter and their family.
• Ensure a happy reunion if you and your companion animal are ever separated, by having your animal micro-chipped. Always make sure they wear their I.D. tags. The cost is insignificant compared to the terrible emotional loss.
• Landscape your yard to be wildlife friendly—plant trees and shrubs that provide food and shelter.
• Avoid using pesticides in gardens and on lawns, safeguarding birds and other creatures.
• To protect dogs and cats from accidental poisoning, immediately clean up spills from oil or antifreeze and wash their paws after walks on sidewalks that have been treated for ice.
• Eat lower on the food chain and try meat-free meals—save the lives of thousands of turkeys, pigs and other farm animals while reducing grocery costs and eating more healthy. Magazines like Vegetarian Times and Vegetarian Journal offer great recipes.

• During the holidays, keep chocolate, mistletoe, holly, glass ornaments, ribbons, and other decorations out of reach of animals. Any item could easily be ingested and cause injury or death.
• Give gifts that support the animals—donate to PAWS. Give a PAWS membership to someone you love. Make a gift to PAWS in someone’s honor or memory. Pay for someone’s adoption of a PAWS shelter animal.
• Schedule some quiet time for all family members, and especially your companion animals, to enjoy each others company and to alleviate stress.