December has arrived...

Here it is again.

Doesn’t it seem like only last month the lights and cards were being packed away? While this is an exciting and often trying time for us humans it can also be challenging for pets. Animals, like us, have their own individual personalities and while some warm to the increased activity which occurs around this time others like to wander off for some P & Q - perhaps heading toward their pet door (assuming they have one) and into a more relaxed setting.

As another year draws toward a close we are reminded of all the wonderful pets and owners we’ve had the pleasure to meet and help throughout 2019 and while there are still weeks to go we’d like to pause and thank the pet community of Canberra and beyond for their ongoing support. There are so many kind caring people out there and it is a joy to spend a little time with each of them and their four-legged friends.

Many of the pets we meet have been spared from an uncertain future as a result of the great work carried out by rescue organisations and peoples willingness to take on a pet that in too many cases has had a difficult and sometimes treacherous introduction to the world. We always ask people to carefully consider the implications and potential challenges when offering a pet as a gift on this and any giving occasion. While pet ownership is a very rewarding privilege it can certainly alter the dynamics a household in a way that some are not fully prepared for. The last thing we as pet lovers want to see is a flood of unwanted pets seeking new homes. It’s puts additional pressure on already limited resources - and doesn’t always end well.

On a bright and positive note we look forward to the usual December rush and those challenges that come with it. Good luck for the weeks ahead and remember to give the pets plenty of love.

Will this be a great year for pets?

Well we really hope so! As we near the end of the first month we can tell you that we've met some great pets so far. It's wonderful to be able to help make a pets life as good as it can be. And make no mistake, some of the dogs and cats that we see have very charmed lives.

As is usually the case we meet a few gifted pets at this time of year. No, not ones who can play a piano concerto from the time they're born or are PhD qualified before their first birthday, but pets that are given to someone as a Christmas present. Although this represents just a small percentage of new pet acquisitions the success rate isn't great as they often come into the care of people who are not ready, willing or able to provide the commitment required. Those we see are usually outside of that group as requesting a pet door does demonstrate a commitment to the pet if not always emotionally then at least financially, and that's a good start.

So how can we make it a great year for pets? We can certainly make it better by simply giving them a little extra attention. It's not always easy, life for most people has never been busier. The increasing cost of living means there's pressure to work longer or more effectively. The rise of digital communication has taken us into a new realm where much of the spare time we previously had is dedicated to building, rekindling and maintaining online friendships. Some people now have thousands of friends! Hello?

And what of our loyal little pet friends who sit there looking at us curiously as all this goes on around them. They might wonder where they fit into the picture as their owner presses 'buttons' while they wait for their dinner, walk or even a pat, stroke or cuddle. Let's see what we can do to make it a great year for them...hoorah!

Cat door run

It was an interesting last week.

Cat door installations are in the minority when it comes to requests for our services, but last week was an exception. Cat ownership is lower than for dogs and several of the newer suburbs have cat containment regulations in place which further reduces demand - but out of the blue interest really spiked.

Quite often when we arrive to fit a cat door the pet is nowhere to be seen; they are either out wandering or hiding somewhere. Cats are cats and usually just do their own thing. Generally we fit their doors to external doors but are sometimes asked to install into internal doors too. These owners want their cats to be able to move freely about the home whilst keeping the internal doors closed to maintain insulation..especially in winter.

Despite our research we've found no definitive reason for our cat door run so we'll say it's coincidence until otherwise proven. In any event thank you to the cat owners in the community for enlisting our help!

Doggy door for William

Today we will be visiting Red Hill. There lives William, a 12-week-old Pug. We enjoy meeting Pugs as they have terrific personalities which combined with a young dog's youthful energy makes for a joyful experience.  

Pugs are quite solidly built with relatively long legs so just as with any breed it is important that their pet door be appropriately positioned for long-term use and durability.

We look forward to meeting William and his owner, who sounds like a very nice lady and clearly loves her new pup.

Fifteen years in Business

When we started installing pet doors in 2001 it was because we ourselves had a less than ideal experience whilst in search of such a solution.

As many of you know finding help is not always a straightforward process and unless you know you know someone reliable you are left to make a decision based on faith alone.  Sometimes that works out fine, and sometimes it doesn't.

It was and is our intent to operate a business where reputation and trust are driving factors. Our feedback from customers indicates that we have managed to achieve this fundamental goal.

We offer a service to our particular market and do it to the best of our ability.  We would like to thank our customers, past and present, for the confidence placed in us and the support you continue to provide.

Thank you.