Tips from City Committees
Monthly tips from our Animal Welfare Committee & Committee for a Better Environment
Make Your Own Leaf Mulch
Save yourself some raking this fall - and help your garden at the same time!
Fallen leaves can be used to make leaf mulch, which can provide many benefits to the trees and other plants in your garden. Simply rake leaves into a pile, into a wire cage, or even just around your trees. The leaves will slowly break down through natural processes to make leaf mulch. To spead up the process, you can mow the leaves to break them into smaller pieces.
Holiday Survival Guide to Keep Pets Safe
The holidays are here and we need to be careful not to share certain food and goodies with our pets. Foods and goodies that can cause discomfort and illness for our pets include: wrapped gifts containing food; chocolate (all types); baked goods containing grapes, raisins and currents; food and candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol; bread dough; fruit cake; alcohol; turkey and turkey skin; table scraps including gravy and meat fat; any foods containing avocados, onions and garlic.
Holiday decorations are to be enjoyed by all but can be tempting toys for our pets. Tinsel, wires on lights, batteries, snow globes, glass or plastic ornaments need to be kept out of reach. Certain plants such as poinsettias, lilies, holly, Christmas cactus and mistletoe berries can be toxic if eaten by our pets. Tree preservatives and stagnant tree water is also off limits.
If you think your pet has eaten any of these items and is showing sudden changes in behavior, depression, vomiting or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680) or ASPCA Poison Control Hotline (1-888-426-4435) may be helpful.