3 simple tips for organising your pet supplies
She's a relatively new pet owner, but Lynda Wylie of Tidy Rooms in Surrey has already acquired a substantial amount of stuff for her cat! Of course, there's the essential food and medicine supplies, but there's also a growing stash of irresistible soft toys, tasty treats and disagreeable (to her cat) grooming brushes. It's a whole new world of consuming, one which brings with it a new organising challenge. If you find yourself in a similar situation with your pampered pet, then Lynda has 3 tips to help you keep your supplies accessible and organised for when you need them most.1 Sort and group similar supplies together
Gather all your pet supplies from around the house and group them into piles of the same category, spreading them out so you can see exactly what you've got. You may be surprised by duplicates and long forgotten items. Assess each pile and decide what to keep and what is no longer needed. Remember to sort your pet papers too. Group everything together - insurance, pet plans and certificates. You might store them in a digital file or a paper one, but the key is to have everything in one place.2 Use appropriate storage containers
Now you're ready to decide how to store your keepers. There is a wealth of storage products available, but before you buy new, you may find you can re-purpose items from around your home. [caption id="attachment_14913" align="alignnone" width="300"]
These cereal containers are perfect for air tight storage of dried pet food and are from IKEA[/caption]
Clear, plastic storage is a hygienic way to store pet food, medicines and litter. Secure clip lids are useful for stacking and keeping out hungry mouths and little hands. Use big, clear labels even though you can see what's inside. A small container in each room can also be useful for keeping essential items to hand such as grooming brushes for those opportune moments.
[caption id="attachment_14915" align="alignnone" width="300"]
This wicker basket started out as a Christmas hamper but is now used to store toys[/caption]
A medicine box is a must for your pet's comfort and your peace of mind. Where would you look for it if you needed it in a hurry? Mell Coleman, a pedigree pet breeder says, "It's especially important at this time of the year to include allergy relief for stings and bites, as well as flea drops, silver emergency blanket, gauze, syringes, thermometer, antiseptic cream and wound powder".
3 Create zones for specific supplies
Store your supplies where you use them or would look for them if you needed them. If you have a dog, walking supplies are ideal near your front door so you can quickly grab them on your way out and put them back easily on your return. Use drawer dividers such as empty shoe boxes to group similar items together so your supplies don't get mixed up together. Fold and stand your pet jackets so you can see them clearly.
A litter zone away from inquisitive eyes with scented nappy sacks nearby for scooping daily poop is another absolute must!
Finally, a feeding station away from busy footfall areas will help your pet relax at meal times - you might even like to set up a treat station for quick behaviour rewards. A dedicated pet cupboard or shelf will also help you keep track of what you have in stock so you don't run out or over shop.
So when you next feed your pet, why not scan your supplies and see whether any of these tips help you and your furry family friends get organised together.
Thank you to Di Kelly of Simply Organised Home
Karen Powell The Organising Lady
and pedigree pet breeder Mell Coleman
and their furry friends for contributing to Lynda's post.
You can find your nearest APDO-registered professional organiser here.