Make Summer the Season of Readiness & Fun

Dear Beautiful (and Growing) HALTER Project Community;

We're smack in the middle of summer, already! And it’s been a doozy so far. By this time, lots of pet parents, equestrians, 4-H and FFA members, and families are hitting the road to fairs, shows, or out having just plain fun. And, we’re keeping the pet-sitters busy!

But, many in our communities have been dealt strong blows by severe weather, with more to follow in the coming warm-weather months. As we write this, several regions are coping with tragic impacts of floods and storms, while others (like us) are deep into wildfire season.

We found it hard to write our usual breezy Summer newsletter when so many are hurting. So, we’ve pulled some of our Summer Safety "Greatest Hits” for everyone, with some especially for Equine Owners in a condensed Equine Safety Bulletin section.

We know the HALTER community is a compassionate group, and we’ll post updates with relief fund info soon. We know you join us in sending hope and healing strength to all those struggling to recover.

Mother Nature never lets up. We get constant reminders of why we need to stay prepared. That's why HALTER Project works so hard to help animal owners and caregivers. Our animals give us so much and are dependent upon us for their well-being.

This July NewsNotes and Equine Bulletin is filled with helpful, even life/saving, tools you can download, use, and SHARE. But if your time is short, we would like to leave you with our “Summer Animal Prep Plan Cheat Sheet”. We hope it’ll help you zero in on the key elements of prep for your animal safety, and take the steps that

are most important for your entire family, which, of course, includes your critters.

Stay safe, be ready, check in with your neighbors, and help us spread the word:

Emergency Prep saves lives of animals and their people. If you spend a little time each day to take a prep step, you’ll find you feel calmer, steadier, and free to enjoy all the good times summer can bring. And you’ll be … Ready for Whatever!

Summer Prep Cheat Sheet: 3 things to think about and act on now.

1. Elevate your situational awareness.

Pay close attention to your surroundings, to local weather forecasts, and emergency alerts.

Think about what “situational awareness” means for the safety of your animals, and step it up! Use all your senses, (including COMMON SENSE). Think like your cat, dog, donkey -all our animals are hyper-aware of their environment, and we can learn a lot from them.

2. Plan: You really do need to make emergency plans for all the situations that might happen. Really! HALTER Project can give you the tools you need to make easy and do it right.

3. Practice: This is the clincher! Practice with your animals: hopping into crates, loading on trailers, getting comfy in a harness, (cats, too). Do it with someone other than you! And do it in wind, rain, and darkness. Practice often to build “muscle memory” that will kick in even if your brain turns to mush or your hands are shaking.

Plan, Prepare, Practice. And please, don’t wait to evacuate!

Tips for Summer Pet Safety

Pet Evac Prep Poster

Here’s a 8.5 x 11" poster you can download, print, and share.

Key reminders for pet parents!

SUMMER EQUINE SAFETY BULLETIN

A collection of graphics and short articles to help keep your equine critters safe whether it's hot, wet, or dry wherever you are.

Also, an important fire weather checklist for your barn.

Hot Weather Tips for Horses and Riders

Here are free tools you can use to give you a leg up on on all kinds of extreme summer weather!

Fire Weather Barn Routine Poster

(11'x17")

Hang this FireWeather Routine poster in your barn, where everyone will see it. (Tip: have your local copy store print and laminate it).

Wildfire-Ready Barn Checklist

Print the FireWeather-Ready learn Checklist and do lunchtime walk-around with barn-Nate’s or neighbors.

Use the Barn & Ranch Safety Workbook to make or update your emergency & disaster plans—and practice!

Download Flood Disaster Prep for Equines + Livestock Resources

Trailer Travel Safety

Here are two great tools to download before you hit the road.

Vehicle safety check list for before you go.
Emergency contact card for roadside mishaps.

Download Travel Safety Card

Download Horse Trailering Safety Checklist

Emergency Prep and Planning for Travelers

Checklists for Animal Travel, Staycation, and Visitors

Whether you’re an animal owner whose pets, equines or other companion animals are traveling with you, or staying home with a caregiver, an Emergency / Disaster Action Plan is essential.

If you own or manage a Pet-Friendly vacation rental, Inn, guest ranch or

resort, you can help your guests and your community be prepared for

animals, as well as people, who might have to shelter for an extended

period at your property.

Here’s a useful guide for all!

Download the Animal Emergency Prep and Planning Guide for Travelers

Some Good News

Mules and Their People to the Rescue

Mountain Mule Packers' mules and their people are helping with flood relief efforts in Texas.

To learn more, or help them in their mission, visit their website: Mountain Mule Packers

HALTER Project Receives

“Good Neighbor & Partnership Award”

We love getting out and meeting people at community events, and we attend some nearly every week. Over the years, we’ve made lots of friends with volunteers from other community partners. There’s so much strength in collaboration!!

Recently, the North Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross honored HALTER Project with a lovely-and surprise “Good Neighbor & Partnership Award”. It's truly humbling to be recognized by an organization that exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism.

We want to share it with you, because YOU are a huge part of our mission. We can’t do this without you! And, giant shout out to all the “Red Crossers” who support communities everywhere with great partnership in blue sky times, as well as times of crisis.