A message from the Laramie Animal Shelter:

“National Poison Prevention week is March 21-27.  While the week stands as an opportunity to inform folks of the hazards of poisoning for humans, we’d like to participate by outlining some tips to avoid accidental poisonings for pets.

Pets are subject to accidental poisonings in the home, the garage, the yard and out in the larger environment.  Owners can learn more about avoiding pet poisonings by visiting: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

There you’ll find good information about human foods to avoid.  Things like alcohol, avocado, chocolate, coffee, caffeine, grapes and raisins, certain nuts, onions, garlic, chives, xylitol, and yeast dough.  You will also find information about household products and human medications to avoid.  These will be things like bleach, ibuprofen and naproxen, mosquito repellants, tobacco products and nicotine patches.  You’ll find a list of plants to avoid.  This list includes indoor as well as landscape plants.  It’s also important to not forget items like car care products and lawn and garden care products as well as any pesticides you might have around.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number is 1-(888)-426-4435.

This number is one of those that pet parents would do well to have posted on the refrigerator.  The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  For a nominal fee you can consult with animal poison center experts that can help you know how to respond if your pet has ingested a dangerous substance.  Have your credit card ready but this service is a life saver for your pet.

Take some time this week to pet proof your home.  We often become lax about the items we leave within easy reach.  Consider your home from the eyes of a child, or a pet, and go through it to remove the chances of accidental poisoning today.”