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MILWAUKEE/NARI OFFERS TEN TIPS FOR A PET-FRIENDLY HOME
July 22, 2009

Bringing the animal kingdom indoors adds another dimension to a household. Members of the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council, Inc., the area's leading home improvement and remodeling industry resource for more than 48 years, offer the following ideas for creating a pet-friendly home.

• Increasing Access to Living Space: To allow kittens and cats to bask in the sun, install window ledges covered in sheepskin or fleece. Provide a convenient pet entry door, so pets can freely move from room to room, house to porch, or outside to inside.
• Renting with Pets: Many landlords ban pets, place weight restrictions on animals, or limit the number of pets allowed. To negotiate permission, send the new landlord a letter of reference from a past landlord, make veterinarian records available, and offer a larger security deposit.
• Creating a Poison-Free Zone: Household cleaning supplies, such as bleach and glass cleaners, should be kept out of paw’s reach on high shelves, or in a tightly latched cabinet.
• Planning Fire Safety: In the event of a fire, pets are more often harmed by smoke inhalation than by burns. Place a decal near the front door alerting rescue personnel that there are animals living inside the premises.
• Keeping Cool in the Summer: Since dogs cannot get relief by sweating, they can suffer dehydration, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion. Offer a dog a small wading pool of cold water, a refreshing spray from a hose or sprinkler, and a shady place to lie down. Bring pets inside on hot days.
• Growing a Healthy Garden: Fertilizers and insecticides, which are toxic to pets, should be allowed to sit for 24 hours before a pet is allowed nearby. Cocoa shell mulch should be avoided because it has the same active ingredient that’s toxic to pets in chocolate: theobromine. Certain flowers are toxic to pets; skip lily of the valley, rhododendron, and foxglove. Good choices are petunias, calendulas, coneflowers, and sunflowers. Ask a landscape expert for more pet-friendly recommendations.
• Accommodating a Senior Pet: When it becomes difficult for an aging pet to jump up on a sofa or bed, bridge the gap with a plastic ramp or a portable set of stairs. Since many senior pets have arthritis, make their quarters warm to ease their joints.
• Taking Care in Winter: When it’s below 40 degrees Fahrenheit outdoors, keep pets inside. Be alert to seasonal hazards, such as a pet ingesting antifreeze or drinking the water from a live Christmas tree.
• Picking the Right Bouquet: Select indoor floral arrangements carefully to avoid having pets nibble on blooms or plants that pose a risk to them. Good choices are snapdragons and roses. Discard the silica packets, which pets should not eat.
• Cleaning Up: A laundry tub and spray attachment in the basement can provide an indoor car wash for pets. Consider having a faucet containing a spray attachment with a retractable hose installed.

The Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council was chartered in July 1961, as a Chapter of the National Home Improvement Council. In May of 1982, the National Home Improvement Council merged with the National Remodelers Association to form NARI - the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. The Council's goals of encouraging ethical conduct, professionalism, and sound business practices in the remodeling industry have led to the remodeling industry's growth and made NARI a recognized authority in that industry. With over 900 members, the Milwaukee Chapter is the nation's largest. For more information or to receive a free copy of an annual membership roster listing all members alphabetically and by category, and the booklet, “Milwaukee/NARI's Remodeling Guide,” call (414) 771-4071