Picking Up Where Mom Left Off

Friday, March 1, 2002

Picking Up Where Mom Left oft (NAPSA)—When a babyjoins the family, it seems like there’s advice around every corner. Unfortunately, best-sellers like What to Expect the First Year are of no help when your new bundle of joy is covered in fur, has four feet and is tearing up the furniture. Since nearly one in two puppies and kittens is born between March and June each year, The Iams Company has launched the Iams Puppy and Kitten Hotline (1-800-882-1591) to help tackle the issues of new puppy and kitten parents. Staffed by a dedicated team of puppy and kitten specialists— including nutritional experts, veterinary technicians and even veterinarians—the free hotline offers easy access to personalized, expert insight into the joys and complications of puppy or kitten parenting. Experts are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The hotline will be in place through July. After July, puppy and kitten parents can contact the Consumer Care Centerat 1-800-863-4267. “Over the years, puppies and kittens have been a popular topic of calls. We’ve helped answer all sorts of questions from new pet parents, from nutrition needs to potty training issues to the number of calories in a mouse,” said veteri- nary technician and Consumer Care specialist Pamela Hurst. Tips from the Puppy and Kitten Hotline According to Hurst, informed pet parents are good pet parents. Good pet parents do three things that can be remembered as P-E-T. They... Prepare for their new pet. They think in advance about how a puppyorkitten will fit into their lifestyle. They learn what to expect from their new pet and what it needs in return. Exercise patience. They take time to get to know and bond with their new pet. Turn to others for help. They seek expert advice when they aren’t sure what to do or don’t understand something their new puppyor kitten is doing. In addition to the> Puppy and Kitten Hotline, Iams offers other helpful resources specifically for parents of puppies and kittens to help them pick up where thepet’s mother left off, including care guides, care packages and a Web site. Free Puppyor Kitten Care Guide Consumers can call the Puppy and Kitten Hotline at 1-800-8821591 to request a free care guide addressing many common issues new pet parents encounter including: introducing a new pet to the family, feeding, toilet training, grooming, common behavior patterns and traveling with your pet, just to name a few. This detailed guide is easy-to-read and features beautiful photos, expert advice and couponsaswell. Iams Puppy and Kitten Care Packages Iams research shows three in five pet parents give the new puppy or kitten a name within its first day in the home...then what? Available at pet specialty and mass merchant retailers, each care package contains the essentials for getting a puppy or kitten off to a happy and healthystart in the new home. Each includes food samples, stainless steel embossed food and water dishes, and a detailed care booklet. WebSite The new www.iams.com Web site offers parents of puppies and kittens nutritional and product advice specific to the size and breed of their pets. Also, a breed selector can help potential pet parents decide which breeds best complement their lifestyles and needs.