The holiday season is officially here! Between festive meals, travel, houseguests, and unpacking decorations, it’s easy to get caught up in all of the excitement. Don't forget to keep a close eye on pets while you deck your halls. After all, this is a season that can be full of surprises for them too!

Check out our helpful tips aimed at keeping your furry family members safe and stress-free this holiday season.

Travel and Guests

The holidays can be a whirlwind for pets, especially those in new homes or adjusting to a busy household. Give them time and space to settle in and talk to your veterinarian about calming medications if needed.

• Traveling: If your pet is staying with a sitter or boarding facility, make sure they have updated information about your pet’s habits, behavior, and health needs.
• On the road: Pets should always be secured in a carrier or with a seatbelt harness in the car to keep both them and you safe. Considering air travel? Check with your veterinarian first. Flying can be stressful and even risky for some pets.
• Houseguests: Keep a quiet space available for your pet to retreat if visitors become overwhelming. Maintaining regular walks, meals, playtime, and snuggles will help your pet feel safe and comfortable amidst the holiday bustle.
• Pet Medication Needs: Help your pet to stay calm amid the chaos with veterinarian prescribed medications. The HSSW Community Veterinary Clinic can help! Now through December 2025, we're offering vaccines and preventative care at a 25% discount - a perfect way to keep pets happy and healthy this season! See if you meet income qualifications here.

Use Caution Sharing People Food

Holiday treats are tempting, but many can be harmful to pets. Be especially careful with:

• Cooked bones: Can splinter and cause choking or intestinal damage, so as tempting as it may be to give your pup that ham bone, do your best to resist!
• Chocolate: Toxic to dogs and cats, even in small amounts - no sneaking tiny bites thinking just a little bit can't hurt
• Rich table scraps: Foods like turkey skin, gravy, and fatty dishes can trigger pancreatitis or stomach upset making them not worth the risk to your beloved pets.
• Trash & leftovers: Keep garbage bins secure. Take our word for it - curious pets love to scavenge, and the outcome can be not only messy but dangerous as well depending on what's recently been tossed.

For a more comprehensive guide, we recommend you check out the AVMA Winter Holiday Safety Tips.

Decorating Safely

Holiday decorations are magical for us, but many pose hazards for pets:

• Ornaments & tinsel: Small, shiny, or breakable items can be chewed up and swallowed in a jiff! These items can lead to intestinal blockages, choking, and worse.
• Lights & cords: Curious pets may chew on extension cords risking shock or burns. Bear in mind it's not just the lights on the tree that may prove tempting, but also any additional cordage leading to temporary sources of lights.
• Poisonous plants: Poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, and lilies can make pets very sick. While they add to the holiday spirit, they can easily land dogs and cats in the pet ER - not how anyone wants to spend the holiday!

If your pet is playful or new to your home this year, secure the tree to prevent tipping. Simple tricks like fishing line anchored to a wall can make a big difference. And don’t let pets drink tree water - it can upset their stomach or contain harmful chemicals.

Emergency Contacts

Accidents can happen even when you’re careful. Keep these numbers handy:

• ASPCA Poison Control: 888-426-4435 and website
• Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661
• Local emergency vets: Keep a list of your closest 24-hour clinics. You can always refer to our list here.

With a little preparation and awareness, you can ensure your holiday season is joyful, safe, and full of wagging tails and purring companions.

The ReTails Holiday Store is officially open and brimming with festive treasures! Our Members Night re-opening was a spectacular success - selling out for the first time ever with 200 excited shoppers ready to kick off the season. Those early-bird shoppers didn’t hold back, spending an incredible $14,000 on holiday goodies in a single night! 

Don't worry though - we're restocking the store with festive finds daily! We invite you to come join visit us and hunt for bargains on décor, ornaments, home goods, vintage treasures, and more - perfect for adding cheer to every corner of your home without breaking the bank.

Discover a magical mix of new and gently used goodies, from Christmas trees, stockings, and nutcrackers to wrapping paper, outdoor decorations, and charming ceramic pieces. Whether your style is classic, quirky, or somewhere in between, there’s something for every holiday vibe and budget.

So come, stop by, deck your halls, and uncover unique pieces that make this season truly special!

5000 E Fourth Plain Blvd. Vancouver, WA

And the best part? Every purchase brings real holiday cheer to pets in need - providing safe shelter, medical care, and second chances for animals across our community.

Santa is Coming to ReTails for Pet Portraits

Mark your calendar and plan on joining us on December 13 or 14, because Santa will be in the store! He'll be here to take photos with pets, people, children, you name it! If it's well behaved, he'll take a photo with it!

Tickets are just $10, with every bit of it going toward the animals. Plus, you'll have your photos to share from your device, the very same day!

Appointments are required, so secure your spot below.

Get Tickets