It’s the holiday season once again which means lots of gatherings and parties to go to and a great time to spend with friends, families, and loved ones. By now you must be bombarded already with all the Christmas carols, holiday shopping rush, and bright colorful lights lining up the city. Those of us who may want to spend the joy and cheer of the holidays in some other place can celebrate out of town and take the opportunity for a relaxing vacation as well. However, before you leave your home, you also want to ensure that your pets are safe. Here are some tips on how to take care of your pets even when you are away for vacation:

1. If you will be out of the house for 2-3 days only, you can leave our pets at home; ask a trusted friend or neighbor to check on them and maybe spend a little time with them. Cats can be left alone for longer periods of time compared to dogs. You can also get an automatic feeder to make sure that that they have enough food until you get home.

2. Leave your pet’s medications and food, and veterinarian’s contact details to the person whom you will ask to take of pets in case of emergency.

3. When going on vacation for a longer period of time, you can leave your pets to your relatives to make sure that they are well taken care of. You can also leave them with pet care providers that allow pet boarding or kennels that offer obedience training for a month. Check the yellow pages for reference.

4.  When you get home and pick up your pets, give them their favorite treats. This way, they will not associate your leaving as an unpleasant experience.

5. Check their coats for fleas, ticks, or allergy signs and also if their coats are matted to know if you need to bring them to the groomer.

The holiday season is almost on the air and this is the best time of the year to make acts of charity as we give back to our family, friends, community, and even the environment. Here are some ways to spread the holiday cheer and at the same time become socially responsible while truly enjoying the holiday season:

Reuse old holiday decorations. If the old decorations are in good condition and packed well, you can recycle them. You can buy new accessories to update the look of your decor. Even old Christmas cards can be cut up and used as decor.

Reuse old holiday decorations.

Opt for eco-friendly shopping. Bring reusable canvas shopping bags instead of using your purchases in plastic or paper bags.

Carpool. With so many parties and events to attend to, you can coordinate with friends to discuss your schedules ahead of time and share a ride. This way, you give mother nature a break by reducing gas consumption and emission of carbon dioxide.

Dispose of bottles and cans properly. With so many parties coming your way this holiday season, don’t forget to dispose bottles and cans properly. Do not mix them with biodegradable party waste, set them aside, rinse, and place in your blue bin for collection.

Give non-tangible gifts. Aside from the material things you want to give to your loved ones, it is also best to spend time and reunite with them. You can also drop by orphanages with friends and hand out simple presents.

Try to be socially responsible starting this holiday onward. Appreciate the impact your actions will leave you, as William James said, ‘Act as if what you makes a difference. It does.”