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Warm December Greetings!

Holiday Hi-Five Dear HALTER Project Community!


Where to begin thinking about this crazy year?? How about…a huge group hug, followed by a big exhale, and finally, a celebratory "hi-five”.


We have weathered, (no pun intended), a seemingly endless series of storms, fires and emergency alerts as we moved from summer into fall.


Now, winter is breathing down our necks. Many of you, and our fur-babies and neighbors, are slogging through the long recovery process that comes after the fire or storm.


But—some good news: Look how far we’ve come!!


When we connect with community leaders, responders and animal owners and caregivers, it’s heartening to hear so many good stories about mindful, prepared folks whose readiness have helped thousands of animals and their humans survive, stay together, stay healthy, reunite.


And here’s the best part: It’s because of YOU.


Whether you’re a trained responder or a pet parent, equestrian or community leader, YOUR effort is having positive impacts. YOU are the role models/pack/herd leaders whose examples inspire others around you. YOUR willingness to share and transfer knowledge keeps our efforts growing and reaching people who don’t have a strong support network.


Without YOU, our work has a limited reach. Together, we really can make things better for our pets, equines and livestock during and after natural disasters.


HALTER Project exists to help YOU. Let us be your springboard to stronger, successful readiness.

Holiday Gift Guide

What pet parent wouldn’t love a snazzy new fanny pack filled with personal essentials? Surprise a special someone with the bolt-cutter of their dreams! Stick a pair of work gloves in everyone’s stocking.


Make 12 Days or 7 nights of Prep part of your family celebration by making animal emergency plans. Need ideas for gifting?

Check out our Prep Gift Guide.

Happy Holiday Safety Tips to keep your visitors AND your animals healthy 

Safe Holidays for Animals and Visitors

Holidays can be stressful not just for people but for animals, too. A little advance planning and prep can go a long way to keeping critters, visitors, and you calm, happy, and healthy.


We put together some checklists you can use for whatever applies to your holiday plan and critter family. So, without further ado, read on! And please download and share with neighbors, friends, family, colleagues, and everyone.


Holiday Animal Safety Checklist


Guests and Your Animals 

  • Give visitors a tutorial on proper behavior and safety before introducing them to your pets, equines, and backyard farm animals.
  • Make sure everyone’s wearing boots or sturdy shoes around hooved animals.
  • Check gates, barn doors, etc. after guest visits with outside animals.
  • Give pets a quiet, private, and secure place to chill, away from all the activity.
  • Introduce pets to each other, and people, slowly and mindfully.
  • Wash hands and minimize pet contact with runny kid noses!


Safe Travels

  • Make sure your Animal Sitter has a copy of your emergency plan and knows how to get emergency alerts.
  • Update vaccinations & health records.
  • Make sure pets are microchipped.
  • Keep collars with ID tags on.
  • Make sure pets are traveling in the most secure way possible (carriers, harnesses, pet seat harnesses.)
  • Download HALTER Projects’ Emergency Prep & Planning for Animal Travelers packet (Link Below).


Outdoors with Animals

These are some natural outdoor hazards that can be lethal to your pet. When walking or riding be aware of:

  • Always keep dogs on leash
  • Toxic mushrooms
  • Algae bloom warnings
  • Mud, quicksand that may not be visible
  • Slick trails, hidden bogs 
  • Fallen and leaning trees, tangled trail-side branches 
  • Heed beach hazard warnings, i.e., sneaker waves, high surf, and wind.


Monitor Treat Feeding 

  • Cut apples into slices or chunks
  • Dole out treats in small quantities
  • Don’t let kids give candy to pets or equines


Holiday Household Hazards

Download our Holiday Pet Safety Infographic (Link below)

Holidays are filled with cheery decorations, festive foods, and lots of distractions. Here are things to watch out for that can make pets seriously sick.

  • Toxic holiday plants and greenery
  • People food! Fried, fatty, yeasty, sugary, artificially sweetened, caffeinated, cocoa… ALL can be deadly in very small quantities. 
  • Wine country pet parents beware – corks are NOT good toys.
  • Tobacco, cannabis
  • Decorations: ribbons, tinsel, ornaments, chemical tree preservatives, extension cords, tissue, and wrapping paper
  • Candles that smell good and/or resemble chew toys are BAD for pets
  • Antifreeze puddles from visiting vehicles
  • Caution houseguests to keep all medications out of pet reach
  • Keep the Pet Poison Hotline phone number handy: 855-764-7661 (PetPoisonHelpline.com) 


This is not a comprehensive list of holiday animal hazards, but it should help you be more AWARE and WATCHFUL of things that can harm or stress your animals during what we all hope can be a happy time. 


From HALTER Project to you, stay safe, stay ready, and share the gift of Preparedness during your holidays and all year long! s

Pet-Sitter & Travel Safety

Whether your critters are going with you or staying home for the holidays, it’s essential to have emergency plans firmly in place.


Our checklist will help you!

P.S. Know someone with an AirBnB? Share a copy with them!


EMERGENCY PREP & PLANNING FOR ANIMAL TRAVELERS

Game Day & Holiday Pet Hazards 

Download Game Day Pet Safety

Download

Holiday Pet Safety

Download Holiday Household Hazards

Avoid Holiday Pet Heartache & Emergency Room Visits


Here’s a little gift from us to you! Whether you’re traveling or welcoming guests at home, your pets may need a quiet haven to relax in.


Avoid accidental escapes by simply taping a sign to the door of their “safe place” as a reminder that animals are there.


Print a few to keep in travel bags, Emergency kits, and at home


Download in English

Download in Español

Fun Stormy Day Family Activity

Make a cup of cocoa and work on your Animal Emergency Plan. Here are workbooks you can download to make the project easy and fun.

Animal Disaster Action Planner


Emergency and Disaster Per Prep for Seniors


Pet Disaster Preparedness


Spanish Pet Prep Workbook

Holiday Giving

Happy & Safe Holidays

from Our Family to Yours

THANK YOU for your compassion and commitment, and for inspiring future generations.


As a community, let’s express our thankfulness by working together to help our responders stay safe and well. Reach out to help neighbors, and spread the joy that comes with our bonds with animals.

 

Wishing you a peaceful holiday season, Julie & Shilo

The HALTER Project

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