Help Eliminate Pets’ Risk of Contracting Canine Influenza This Holiday Season by At-Home Pet Care While Traveling

Wellington, CO, December 17, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Dr. Lisa Herickhoff, Co-Founder of PETZcheckin.com™ reminds pet owners of the importance of at-home pet care this holiday season and the service available to eliminate any risk associated with home care.

Canine Influenza has been documented in 30 states and is especially prevalent in areas of Colorado, New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The Canine Influenza virus (CIV) is a highly contagious infection. It is spread via aerosolized respiratory secretions such as sneezes, coughing, licking, and contaminated objects such as kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes.

“All dogs, regardless of breed or age, are susceptible to infection and have no naturally acquired or vaccine-induced immunity when first exposed to the virus. If the virus enters a kennel or other closed group, a high percentage of the dogs may become infected, and most of these dogs will be symptomatic,” said the AVMA.

The best way to protect your dog from canine influenza is to keep them home instead of taking them to areas frequented by many foreign dogs. This can be a challenge, but by using home pet care, pet owners don’t have to worry about this contagious virus spreading from infected animals to their precious pooches. As additional added security to home pet care, PETZcheckIN.com™ further offers peace of mind to traveling pet owners by reminding their pet sitters when to come care for the pets.

“With PETZcheckIN.com™ we will notify pet parents that their pet sitter has arrived and when they leave; it is our job to help provide you, a pet parent, with peace of mind while away for the holidays,” said Herickhoff.”

In addition, the web service offers a backup plan, myPETZnet™. Pet owners simply enter the contact information for friends and family who can help out if for whatever reason, their pet sitter does not check in during the time originally scheduled by pet owner. PETZcheckIN.com™ will then begin contacting members of myPETZnet™, starting with the pet sitter, to see if someone will assume responsibility for the pet/pets. Of course, in this circumstance, the pet owner is notified of who will be caring for their pet(s).

“With all risks out there associated with leaving pets behind for the holidays, including the spread of Canine Influenza, pet owners shouldn’t have to worry at all about their safety while away,” said Herickhoff. “I started PETZcheckIN.com™ to give pets a voice and allow peace of home for pets, and peace of mind for all owners.”

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checkingIN™ inc. is a small family-owned company dedicated to providing a "line of safety" for owners and their pets. PETZcheckIN.com was founded in 2008 by Lisa Herickhoff, mom Ruth and dad Jim with the purpose of eliminating the risk of home pet care. After lack of reassurance and the uneasiness felt when leaving their beloved pets in the care of others with away, Lisa and Ruth created PETZcheckIN.com. Using the latest technology available, checkingIN™, a privately held company, created a suite of web pages to assist in safety monitoring.