Liz Local Richmond - Summer 2022 Edition

RICHMOND SUMMER 2022 Creating A Pet Friendly Backyard Oasis Interior Design with Pets in Mind Supper Richmond SPCA Take Me Out To The Dog Park Moving With Your Family Pet

Happy Summer! A Message from Liz Emma The local real estate market has been a roller coaster so far this year. Interest rates have more than doubled since January, which has definitely put a damper on buyer activity. As a result, many buyers have either been priced out of the market or are choosing to sit on the sidelines and wait until things settle down. We’re seeing the supply of inventory and time on market begin to inch up, which are both telling signs of a market stabilization in the works. For sellers, most are seeing a more normal negotiating environment, with the return of home inspection, appraisal and even some home sale contingencies. Prices remain strong, and sellers are still benefitting from the incredible appreciation gains of the past 2 and a half years. Now, perhaps more than ever, you need the counsel of an experienced REALTOR® to help you navigate the changing market. We’re dedicating this issue of Liz Local to our four-legged, furry friends! At our house, our 4-year-old Irish Doodle, Emma, rules the roost. We hope you have a wonderful summer! Liz Moore, President

Congratulations! Contents We recently asked kids to draw their pet’s ideal house Creating A Pet Friendly Backyard Oasis and submit their completed work on Facebook. Interior Design with Pets in Mind Congratulations to Nishka, Bella and Pippa, Supper who received the most votes for their age range. Richmond SPCA Take Me Out To The Dog Park Moving With Your Family Pet NISHKA BELLA PIPPA SUMMER 2022 / LIZ LOCAL 3

Creating A Pet Friendly Backyard Oasis By Leslie Pearce Perhaps you are a new pet owner or just bought a house with an outdoor space? Read on for some helpful information about your pet and the outdoors. Perhaps you are a new pet owner or just bought a house with an outdoor space? Read on for some helpful information about your pet and the outdoors. Be sure your fence is sufficient to keep your dog from going over or under. Gardening chemicals should be kept away from pets. Don’t forget that cats can climb into or onto most anything! Keeping up to date with vaccines, flea, tick, and heart worm medicines is always a good idea. Some plants are toxic to animals like oleander, poinsettias, and others. Check the ASPCA website. “Lilies are very toxic to cats, even licking the pollen off their fur can cause damage,” said Heidi Garman, DVM at Colonial Veterinary Clinic. Perpetual water bowls or a water fountain are good as is a play area with shade. Dog runs and doggie door options are important for outside pets as well. Keeping these tips in mind will help you and your pet get the most enjoyment from your time outdoors this summer! 4 SUMMER 2022 / LIZ LOCAL

Interior Design with Pets in Mind By Leslie Pearce Spending quality time indoors with your pet is one of life’s great enjoyments. With that in mind here are some helpful tips to make sure both you and your pet are as happy inside as outside. A big question to think about, where are your pets going to sleep? Under the kitchen table? In a dog bed, kennel, sofa or with you? Your pet will appreciate a quiet place and their own bed where they can catch a quick nap before looking for their next adventure. Animals need plenty of toys to chew on, otherwise the remote and your glasses can be mighty tempting! If you like open windows, make sure your screens are secure. Give your cat an alternative to the couch such as a scratching post. Waterproof luxury vinyl and tile are the best options for flooring. Buy furniture with pet hair and claws in mind. Silk, velvet, denim, and woolen fabrics are magnets for animal hair. Leather and its alternatives are good choices. Rugs with non-skid pads are a must for safety. Cats love rubbing against something scratchy or lumpy so AVOID textured walls or embossed wallpaper. Cats and dogs play and drink in toilets, close lids. Chocolate, avocado, tomatoes, and other tasty snacks can be harmful to your dog or cat. Keep cords from blinds secure, a dangerous enticement for animals. Having a well thought out indoor environment for your pet is always a great idea! SUMMER 2022 / LIZ LOCAL 5

SupperPet-Friendly Places: Want to go? Supper By Karen Newton 1213-1215 Summit Avenue Supper in Scott’s Addition knows how to make its four-legged Richmond customers happy. 804-353-0111 lunchorsupper.com Settle into their garden patio, full of plants which are used by the kitchen to create seasonal menus, to get a sense of being in the country while actually in an urban setting. The sense of serenity makes it a calm oasis for friends, family, and pets to enjoy a drink or meal. With a wide-ranging menu of comfort foods that speaks to both carnivores and vegetarians -the stuffed portabella and Down on the Farm sandwich are legendary with Richmond’s non-meat eaters- Supper has had a devoted following since the day it opened in 2012. Part of that following wears a collar and walks on four paws. To accommodate them, the staff will supply your dog with a water bowl and something even far tastier: healthy treats made in-house by Supper’s baker. Rare is the pooch who will turn down a homemade treat. There aren’t a whole lot of rules to bringing man or woman’s best friend to Supper. All fur babies must be well behaved, and according to owner Rick Lyons, most are. They’re also required to be on a leash and refrain from bothering other patrons at nearby tables. “We love our Supper Puppers and encourage our patrons to bring them here,” says Lyons. “We’ve never really had an issue and when we do, it’s usually the human involved. Go figure!” 6 SUMMER 2022 / LIZ LOCAL

Richmond SPCA By Karen Newton On a spring day in March, an adopter walked into the Richmond SPCA’s adoption center from his Fan District home. Jerel fell in love with a 9-year-old dog named Bird, deciding to adopt her immediately. But Bird had just completed treatment for heartworm disease, so she was still under exercise restrictions. When the adoption counselor explained the one-mile walk would be too much for her, Jerel left and returned with a wagon. Bird was happy to be loaded up and wheeled to her forever home. The Richmond SPCA, a private no-kill humane society that cares for nearly 4,000 cats and dogs annually, adopted a no- kill operating model in 2002. Besides sheltering and adop- tion, they offer a variety of services to keep pets in homes and out of shelters including a free Behavior Helpline for guardians facing behavior challenges with their pets. Public training classes and workshops use reward-based training methods, while humane education programming for children and adults instill compassion, kindness, and empathy. They host children’s birthday parties, camps and educational tours for schools and clubs. The Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital, a full-service hospital, provides quality care at a reduced cost. To help, Director of Communications Tabitha F. Treloar suggests adopting, contributing, or shopping for items on their wish list. “Sign up to foster a pet,” Treloar says. “Our training is entirely online, and we’ll provide all the sup- plies and veterinary care you need to give a cat or dog a temporary home.” Richmond SPCA 2519 Hermitage Road Richmond, VA 23220 804-521-1300 richmondspca.org SUMMER 2022 / LIZ LOCAL 7

Take Me Out To The Dog Park Dog parks are becoming more and more popular across Dog parks provide both mental and physical stimulation the country and our area is no different. Dog parks as they run and play and interact with other dogs. Parks provide a place where pups can run freely, off-leash and help eliminate energy for bad deeds proving true the old socialize with other dogs. These parks provide many saying “a tired dog is a good dog.” benefits to dogs and their humans alike. Dogs are highly social, pack animals, who enjoy running Dogs were born to lead very active lives. For thousands and playing with other dogs. At the park, your pup of years, dogs worked alongside man, hunting, herding not only gets to play with new and old friends, he also and protecting, while their wild ancestors spent their gets practice reading a variety of other dogs’ body days hunting, scavenging, and avoiding predators. language and using their own communication skills. Today, most dogs spend the majority of their time alone These valuable play and learning experiences help guard at home, napping on the couch or on their fluffy bed, against your dog developing fear and aggression around and eating and drinking from food bowls. other dogs. Many behavioral problems in dogs stem from lack of The fun isn’t limited to Fido! People enjoy dog parks just physical and mental stimulation. Many dogs become as much as their pups. They get to exercise their dogs bored, lonely, and overweight when left home all day. without much effort, meet new people and socialize No wonder they create ways to entertain themselves like with other dog lovers, bond and play with their pups, unstuffing couch cushions or chewing your shoes! practice off-leash training skills, and enjoy watching the frolicking dogs. 8 SUMMER 2022 / LIZ LOCAL

Are you and your pup ready for the park? Before taking your pup to play, visit the park alone and observe. Stop by on different days and at different times As parks are a place where dogs run freely and mingle of day if you can. Take note of the rules so you can together, their behavior and social skills are a top come prepared. Inspect the park for water, shade and consideration. Is your pup aggressive or anxious around security. Also observe who utilizes the park and if they other dogs? Is he fearful? You should work on social are actively supervising their pups and take note of busy skills in small groups and on the leash before entering times and days. A first visit might be most successful at the wide-open dog park. Your dog could become a less crowded time. overwhelmed and fearful and might even become Now that you’ve found the perfect park, prepare aggressive in that situation. yourself and Fido for a great time! Put together a dog- park kit with essentials like a leash, a water bowl and Make sure Fido is up to date on important vaccinations water for you both, bags for clean-up, toys, and treats. like rabies, distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus. Also, Dog parks can be wonderful places for exercise, play, depending on your area, the age of your dog, and the and socialization. With a little research and preparation, time of year, there may be other necessary vaccinations, you and your dog are sure to have a great time! such as leptospirosis, bordetella, Lyme disease, parainfluenza, or even canine influenza (“dog flu”). Barker Field Check with your vet to see what’s appropriate. 1300 Blanton Avenue, Richmond While all parks are different, there are some ideal (804) 239-0783 features to look for. Make sure the park is big enough for the dogs to run and socialize and have space to get away from the pack if they want. Overcrowding can lead to tension and fights can erupt. Even if your dog reliably comes to you when called, it’s safest to play in a dog park with fences. Even better are parks with “holding pens” or double gates to allow dogs and people to enter and exit without accidendy letting the other dogs slip out of the park. Before playing, inspect the fence for holes and sturdiness. All parks should have a clean-up station with bags and trashcans available. Always make sure to pick up after your pet! Water and shelter should be available, especially in our warmer climate. Exercising dogs need access to plenty of fresh water and shade. Look for parks with a separate area for smaller dogs. Small dogs need exercise and play time too, but they can be afraid and overwhelmed by much larger, faster dogs. Keeping the smaller pups separate allows them to run and play safely. SUMMER 2022 / LIZ LOCAL 9

Moving With Your Family Pet Moving can be very stressful, especially for our furry Crate Training family members. This stress can manifest in upset stomachs, lack of appetite, bald spots, potty accidents, With all of the impending changes, this might be a unusual behavior, and even aggression. With some good time to crate train your pet if they aren’t already. planning and a few easy steps, we can help make the If trained properly, a crate is a safe space where you pet transition easier for everyone. feels comfortable and is protected. To acclimate them to their crate, you can place their food or a favorite Showing your Home toy in an open crate to encourage them to enter. Also, developing a positive association with the crate, When showing your home, often your pet’s routine is like treats or play time after exploring the crate, will interrupted. Whether they’re placed in a crate, attend help your pet feel positive about their crate and more doggy daycare, or just walked at different times than comfortable in there. usual, these changes can stress your pet. It’s best to ease our pets into these changes gradually giving them time to acclimate. Keep as much routine as you can, don’t change brands of food or litter, keep their food and water in the same place, and try to keep their beds and scratching posts in the same place. 10 SUMMER 2022 / LIZ LOCAL

Choosing the Right Place Settling in Your New Home When selecting your new home, it’s important to make It’s tempting to just turn your furry friend loose in sure your pet will love it as much as you do. Take a walk your new home and let them explore, but such a large around the neighborhood and take note of unsafe areas new space can be very overwhelming for pets. Start and neighboring animals. Does the home have a fence by introducing your pet to just one room, this can be or an invisible fence? Are there receptacles around the their “home base” and will include their food and water neighborhood for pet waste while you’re on a walk? It’s dishes, toys, and a litter box for cats. When they seem also important to consider stairs and flooring, especially comfortable in this room you can gradually introduce for older pets with mobility issues. Knowing what your them to other rooms in your new home. You can also new pet care routine will look like in your new home relocate the litterbox to a more permanent location will help you be better prepared and make the transition gradually by moving it a few feet towards its final smoother. destination every day. Packing Up Your Old Home Medication Pets are very intuitive and will immediately be on high If your pet is still stressed despite your efforts, consult alert when you start bringing in big boxes and packing your veterinarian. They can prescribe medication to help away all of your belongings. To help ease their stress, with your pet’s anxiety during this transition period. consider bringing in the boxes early for them to sniff With some planning and patience, your cat or dog will and explore, cats will especially love this! It’s also helpful adjust to your new home in no time at all. to keep your pet in a familiar room while you’re packing and pack up that room last to keep them in a familiar environment as long as possible. Moving Day Moving day is always crazy. People coming in and out, the door constantly opening and closing, this is not only stressful for your pet but potentially dangerous as they could easily slip out the door and get lost. Keeping your furry friend in a crate in a quiet room, or behind a closed door in a familiar room, or even at a different location all together will ensure their safety and reduce stress for everyone involved in the move. Ideally, it’s best to keep your pet’s routine as normal as possible while moving, but their safety is paramount. Pet-Proofing Much like baby-proofing, it’s a good idea to petproof your new home before introducing them to their new home. Tuck away electrical cords, close off areas where they could get trapped, secure window screens, remove any poisonous houseplants, and confirm there are no poisonous pest-control traps anywhere in the home. SUMMER 2022 / LIZ LOCAL 11

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