Blog | MyFamily

MyFamily keeps innovate the pet market and launches an absolute novelty in the field of identification tags! We are talking about the new Hushtag collection, the silent tags. This unique product was created to meet a specific need: avoid the tinkling noise of the tag hitting the collar metal ring or another tag, mandatory in some countries.

MyFamily Hushtag are noise-free since they are made of rubber combined to metal. In fact, they have a strong core made of brass or aluminum, with an external rubber casing.

The advantages of choosing this product are many: besides the elimination of the tinkle, these tags guarantee a much longer life since they don’t scratch, and they wear out more slowly than any other model. It's not all! Another very important aspect is the absolute comfort for the animal that wears them: practically our four-legged friends do not even realize they are carrying them!

The new collection comes in different shapes and colors, to meet the aesthetic needs of a large audience. The utmost attention to detail and the absolute craftsmanship quality of the finishes are a real added value, Made in Italy style. For all these reasons, MyFamily's Hushtag is a truly revolutionary product, never seen before in the pet world.

Hushtag collection: silent, revolutionary, unique! An absolute innovation in the pet world.
Thursday, February 7, 2019

MyFamily Hushtag are noise-free since they are made of rubber combined to metal. In fact, they have a strong core made of brass or aluminum, with an external rubber casing.

Expozoo is one of the main PET exhibition event in Europe. The new edition of the show, founded in 1979, will be in Paris on 10th and 11th January 2019 in a friendly and prolific background. They are expected many companies and many visitors! MyFamily will have the pleasure to introduce the latest novelties among which the Hushtag collection, composed of beautiful, noiseless and long lasting ID tags. Together with all the professionals, importers and potential customers, we will know the new market trends and we will propose our style and vision: affordable made in Italy products manufactured with innovative design and materials. Two intense days in Paris Porte de Versailles to confirm that MyFamily style can lead and inspire the entire Pet field, again. Find us at booth E10.

EXPOZOO 2019: MYFAMILY WILL BE PROTAGONIST IN PARIS!
Monday, January 7, 2019

Christmas is coming, the race for Christmas shopping has officially started and our four legged friends cannot be excluded. But among the various offers, which are the most useful and charming for this 2018? Here are some original tips.

1) We shall not forget that their main need is our company, our presence. Therefore we could buy a course of Agility Dog, that will allow us to spend a pleasant and amusing outdoor experience together!

2) During cold winter season our pets spend more time at home. There are many kennels available for our pets, among the most curious: the wood ones that are similar to real houses, fitted with padded pillows inside. They have two functions: in the lower part they are used as a kennel and in the upper part they can be used as a little table or as a stool. Don't forget real couches, expressly drawn for pets, which are original, comfortable and become integral part of our home furnishings.

3) Christmas holidays lead us to eat more sweets and this may be dangerous for our dog's health. The best idea is to give him some special treat, so that we don't let ourselves be tempted by giving him our food.

4) You should always think about his safety. Don't forget to let him wear the ID tag; there are various models for everyday life, and more elegant models, perfect to make him special on particular occasions. You can engrave free your and his data, so that he will be protected in any case. You can choose among the wide range that MyFamily has available. Discover our collections

5) And in order to keep up with times, don't miss the interactive webcam for pets. You can supervise your pet while you are at work, interact vocally with him and catch any precious moment while you are away.

There are a lot of proposals that you can easily find on-line or in Pet shops, but our suggestion is to do useful presents to your pet, useful for his safety and for his health. You shall not forget that the main thing for him is your love.

"A dog doesn't mind expensive cars, big houses, or designer clothes. A rotten stick is fine for him. A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, bright or clumsy , clever or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. "( From "Marley and me" by John Grogan )

WHICH GIFT COULD YOU PUT UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE FOR YOUR PET ? FIVE IDEAS
Tuesday, December 11, 2018

The abandonment of dogs is a very serious world problem. The World Health Organization estimates that despite the frequent awareness campaigns against the mistreatment and abandonment of animals, in Italy, more than 50,000 dogs are abandoned every year and stray dogs are more than 200,000 million worldwide. In some countries, straying leads also to an increase of some dangerous diseases such as rabies, because of their easy spread.

In many countries of the world, abandoning a dog is a punishable offence: those who break the law, must pay not only a fine for abandonment, but also for possible damages caused.

Despite these rules, there are many abandoned dogs.

Abandonments are more frequent in some particular periods of the year:

in the summer when the so-called "owners" do not want to give up their holidays and the animal becomes "troublesome";

during Christmas holidays, when the family realizes the inability to manage a dog received as a gift, especially for children.

in autumn, when some dogs are considered as unsuitable for hunting by their owners-hunters.

80% of abandoned dogs lived in a flat, so they risk even more mistreatment, hunger and incidents, because they are absolutely not able to self-manage.

An abandoned dog unfortunately represents also a danger to others for several reasons:

- having to find food by himself, he might become violent, after many days that he does not eat;

- many dogs are abandoned along roads and motorways and this is a serious danger for themselves and for the others. A frightened, scared animal who is running away can cause serious road accidents.

Exactly for these reasons, it is useful to know how to behave if you find an abandoned dog or if you are in one of the situations described above.

The 6 steps to take when you find an abandoned dog.

First of all, it is important to observe carefully his mood. He could be dangerous if he's very hungry, scared by unknown people or very distressed and frightened. If he does not show any particular signs of aggression, move close to him slowly trying not to frighten him.

Once you are close to him, you should check that the animal has no clear injuries. In case of serious injuries, it will be necessary to call the Local Veterinary Service of the Local Health Authority. Never give any medicine, always rely on experts.

In case he squeezed into a space and could not set himself free, it will be necessary to call the Firemen .

After making sure that he is physically well, it will be necessary to check if there is the identification tag attached to the collar or to the harness.

If the owner cannot be found out, it will be necessary to check if there's a microchip. It will therefore be necessary to go to a veterinarian or to the authorities in charge, such as the Veterinary Service of the Local Health Authority that have the proper reader and will be able to identify the code of the microchip and the corresponding data. Every dog should, by law, be registered to the canine registry, have a microchip and thus have an identifiable owner.

In any case, it is important to report the recovery as soon as possible to the local police or to the traffic police, in case you are in a motorway.

If you see someone who abandons a dog, how should you behave?

The first step in this case is to collect as much information as possible to identify the person in question. The most important one is the car license plate, the safest and easiest way to identify the responsible person.

After having marked all that could be useful, please contact the Police.

Abandoning a dog is a cruel and inhuman action. Dogs love us unconditionally and we don't always do enough to deserve their love.

Leave a comment if you want to share with us any experience related to abandonment .

Abandoned dogs: how to behave in this situation.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018

In many countries of the world, abandoning a dog is a punishable offence: those who break the law, must pay not only a fine for abandonment, but also for possible damages caused.

Despite these rules, there are many abandoned dogs.

Abandonments are more frequent in some particular periods of the year:

in the summer when the so-called "owners" do not want to give up their holidays and the animal becomes "troublesome";

during Christmas holidays, when the family realizes the inability to manage a dog received as a gift, especially for children.

in autumn, when some dogs are considered as unsuitable for hunting by their owners-hunters.

80% of abandoned dogs lived in a flat, so they risk even more mistreatment, hunger and incidents, because they are absolutely not able to self-manage.

An abandoned dog unfortunately represents also a danger to others for several reasons:

- having to find food by himself, he might become violent, after many days that he does not eat;

- many dogs are abandoned along roads and motorways and this is a serious danger for themselves and for the others. A frightened, scared animal who is running away can cause serious road accidents.

Exactly for these reasons, it is useful to know how to behave if you find an abandoned dog or if you are in one of the situations described above.

The 6 steps to take when you find an abandoned dog.

In case he squeezed into a space and could not set himself free, it will be necessary to call the Firemen .

After making sure that he is physically well, it will be necessary to check if there is the identification tag attached to the collar or to the harness.

In any case, it is important to report the recovery as soon as possible to the local police or to the traffic police, in case you are in a motorway.

If you see someone who abandons a dog, how should you behave?

After having marked all that could be useful, please contact the Police.

Abandoning a dog is a cruel and inhuman action. Dogs love us unconditionally and we don't always do enough to deserve their love.

Leave a comment if you want to share with us any experience related to abandonment .

Winter with its harsh temperatures is approaching and it is interesting to know some breeds that are best suited to this type of climate. Some have been specially selected to have characteristics, linked in particular to the type of hair, such as to create a greater cold protection than others.

We see the 5 that most love the cold and the snow and seem to find in these adverse weather conditions a pleasant and ideal environment.

The Mountain Dogs of the Pyrenees or Patou are very faithful livestock guardians, accustomed to low mountain temperatures and snow thanks to their thick hair. It is a canine breed belonging to the group of mountain dogs that traditionally performs the task of guardian of the flock on the French side of the Pyrenees. On the Spanish side of the mountain range, in the region of Aragon, the breed of the Mastiff of the Pyrenees developed from common ancestors. The mountain dog of the Pyrenees is not to be confused with the shepherd of the Pyrenees, his "colleague" of work, in charge of leading the flock (herding pastor), while the task of the mountain dog of the Pyrenees is to defend it (guardian shepherd ).

The Siberian Husky are instead Spitz-type dogs (along with numerous other breeds such as Norwegian Elkhounds, Keeshonds, Samoyed, Akita and Malamute). They are dogs known for their resistance to cold climates, thanks to their Arctic origins and for this reason they are chosen to tow the sledges on the snow. All Spitz dogs like the Husky have adapted themselves to the Nordic climates, thanks to their ability to heat insulation and a thick, water-repellent coat. If this happens, the ears of the dogs of this primitive race are small, a natural adaptation to avoid freezing.

The Siberian Husky, in particular, is a very robust subject, with a double layer of thickness that allows it to withstand the most extreme winter conditions.

It seems that even in the character these hairy are a bit '"cold": very independent, generally wary if not educated and socialized from an early age.

Even the Akita love winter climates. The breed was selected for guarding and hunting in the cold and mountainous Prefecture of Akita, on the Japanese island of Honshu, where these dogs flanked the hunters. Trained for hunting, their prey was the wild boar, the deer and the Tibetan bear. They were also used for the defense of property and since 1603 as fighting dogs.

The San Bernardo is instead the most famous dog among the races that love the cold climate, with its soft, dense and thick fur, it is also one of the largest as mole. It can exceed 90/95 cm in height and over 100 kg in weight.

There is no other race which, with such bulk and weight, is as dynamic and athletic as the Saint Bernard. Despite its massive size, the Saint Bernard is a docile dog, very close to the human owner. If adopted by a puppy it will remain a playful for life (8/10 years on average).

San Bernardo has an excellent relationship with children, but in general it is sociable with everyone, so much so that it is also used in pet therapy, thanks to its strong but extremely balanced personality. It is also the typical working dog, used to being outdoors in cold climates. In the past he was skilled in the guard to protect the mountain territory. It has not preserved any aggressive instinct, but is able to perceive every little noise or danger very quickly. This quality meant that the mountain man chose him to help him during the snowstorms, for example to identify people in difficulty.

In the Swiss Alps, the San Bernardo dogs have often contributed to the discovery of travelers at risk of freezing during the weather. Even today, they represent a valid help for man in the mountains, in the case of avalanches, thanks to the high resistance to cold and infallible smell.

The Russian Black Terrier, the last we will consider, is a relatively new breed, selected by the Russian army during the Cold War years and specially bred for military work in extremely cold climates. Everything about him has been said: biting and aggressive dog, with a terrible and dangerous jaw force, capable of crushing a duck with a single bite. It was also called the "killer dog of the KGB". These are folkloric statements but far from reality. Today, the skills of work, loyalty, ease of training, climatic resistance and balance have remained intact in the black terrier of yesteryear. In addition, through the selection on the already established breed, the defects and aggressiveness that were present in part of the bred subjects were eliminated. It is a docile and sensitive dog, even if it does not hesitate to turn into a deadly weapon if it senses a danger to its humans. Another characteristic of the breed is prodigious memory.

And have you had experience with any of these races? Tell us some trivia in the "comments" section and discover the medals that MyFamily has dedicated to them. Check out the Friends collection.

CURIOSITY: 5 dog breeds that love the icy winter.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018

We see the 5 that most love the cold and the snow and seem to find in these adverse weather conditions a pleasant and ideal environment.

The Siberian Husky, in particular, is a very robust subject, with a double layer of thickness that allows it to withstand the most extreme winter conditions.

It seems that even in the character these hairy are a bit '"cold": very independent, generally wary if not educated and socialized from an early age.

And have you had experience with any of these races? Tell us some trivia in the "comments" section and discover the medals that MyFamily has dedicated to them. Check out the Friends collection.

K-PET FAIR is the largest yearly exhibition in Korea devoted to pet products.
In 2017 more than 40.000 B2B and B2C visitors took part in this event; the strong development of Korean pet market envisages an increase of the attendees in 2018 edition.
This year the event will take place in the city of Goyan - at Korea International Exhibition Center.
We won't lose therefore the opportunity to be there (stand Z -58),in order to meet experts of pet worldin a new market, from whichwe will learn new trends of this sector.

K-PET FAIR - KOREA 2018
Friday, November 16, 2018

The safety theme in the car is a very important topic both for the health and safety of your faithful life partner, and to avoid unpleasant discomforts such as accidents in the worst case, penalties on your driving licenses and fines in case the Highway Patrol should stop you for a check and not find you in order.

THE NEW ROAD CODE

The new Italian highway code provides that:

the dogs should be transported by car in a safe and correct way for any type of journey, both short and long for the safety of the animal, the driver and the motorists.

A stray dog or several domestic dogs (there is a difference to the highway code!) can be transported only if they are locked in a cage or placed in the dedicated location.

A dividing network can also be placed between the animal and the conductor, but only after having received a relevant authorization by the Italian authority for motor vehicles.

Basically, the animal should never have the possibility to hamper the driving, causing danger and the driver should never keep the animal in its arms, at the passenger's feet or, in any case, free in the passenger compartment.

Those who transgress these rules risk an administrative sanction and the deduction of a point from the driving license (Italian regulations).

3 WAYS TO CORRECTLY TRANSPORT YOUR PET

Basically there are 3 alternative methods provided by law to safely transport your pet during the trip by car.

CARRIER

The carrier, also called cage or kennel consists of a "container" in plastic or metal, available in different sizes; it usually fits the dog size.

It will be equipped with a comfortable front opening and will be placed in the luggage compartment of the vehicle; depending on the size, it is possible to place more kennels in case you should transport more than one pet.

It is the simplest and most economical way to organize transport, provided that the pet is already used to stay in one of this "cages", otherwise he could get stressed too much. Show it to your faithful friend in a positive way; let him sniff it a little before putting it in the car. When the cage is positioned on the car, put the pet inside, keep a positive approach and move away for a few minutes; make sure that he gets used to the carriage by putting tasty morsels, but without forcing him to enter.

It is the only way to transport the pet in the car according to the law and it also reduces the risk that the animal is frightened cause he has a limited view of the outside.

DIVISORY NETWORK

It is a special accessory to divide the space between the pet and the driver. It is the most commonly used method and allows the pet to have its own reserved space in which to move, relax and rest. It is good practice to place a blanket or a pillow to make the environment comfortable. Since the pet is free in an area that is not very restricted, it will be at ease but we must not forget that a sudden stop could represent a danger to the pet's health.

SAFETY BELT FOR DOG

Represents a fairly new accessory, which provides to place the animal on the seat of the car by tying him to the car's safety hook like a real belt.

These devices are inserted into the "female" buckle of the normal seat belt, while at the other end they are equipped with the classic leash hook; connecting the dog safety belt to the harness, it ensures that the pet is held by the body, thus avoiding damage to the neck in an emergency.

Nevertheless, It is a suitable condition for a short journey because the movement and the change of position are limited, moreover, as for the carrier, the pet should be gradually get used to that to avoid he get stressed or frightened.

GENERAL PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR THE JOURNEY

Here are some general tips for travelling with your pet especially during long journeys:

- place the pet in the car after he got tired tahnks to a nice walk and after it has had the opportunity to do all his needs

- always keep the pet's documents with you

- have water available to make him drink

- avoid giving food early before departure

- ensure a recirculation of air in the car (not the conditioned one!)

- provide stops at regular intervals

- never leave the pet alone in the car, especially in summer due to high temperatures the car can reach in a short time

- do not ever allow him to overlook the windows

- if the pet suffers car sickness, take all precautions to reduce as much as possible his discomfort (regular stops, no food, limited space and eventually, in the most serious cases, the administration of specific medications prescribed by the veterinarian).

Never underestimate the existent rules for transport by car, they are very important to avoid unpleasant consequences. I hope I have been useful.

SAFETY: how to properly transport the dog in the car.
Friday, November 9, 2018

THE NEW ROAD CODE

The new Italian highway code provides that:

the dogs should be transported by car in a safe and correct way for any type of journey, both short and long for the safety of the animal, the driver and the motorists.

A stray dog or several domestic dogs (there is a difference to the highway code!) can be transported only if they are locked in a cage or placed in the dedicated location.

A dividing network can also be placed between the animal and the conductor, but only after having received a relevant authorization by the Italian authority for motor vehicles.

Basically, the animal should never have the possibility to hamper the driving, causing danger and the driver should never keep the animal in its arms, at the passenger's feet or, in any case, free in the passenger compartment.

Those who transgress these rules risk an administrative sanction and the deduction of a point from the driving license (Italian regulations).

3 WAYS TO CORRECTLY TRANSPORT YOUR PET

Basically there are 3 alternative methods provided by law to safely transport your pet during the trip by car.

CARRIER

The carrier, also called cage or kennel consists of a "container" in plastic or metal, available in different sizes; it usually fits the dog size.

It is the only way to transport the pet in the car according to the law and it also reduces the risk that the animal is frightened cause he has a limited view of the outside.

DIVISORY NETWORK

SAFETY BELT FOR DOG

Represents a fairly new accessory, which provides to place the animal on the seat of the car by tying him to the car's safety hook like a real belt.

GENERAL PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR THE JOURNEY

Here are some general tips for travelling with your pet especially during long journeys:

- place the pet in the car after he got tired tahnks to a nice walk and after it has had the opportunity to do all his needs

- always keep the pet's documents with you

- have water available to make him drink

- avoid giving food early before departure

- ensure a recirculation of air in the car (not the conditioned one!)

- provide stops at regular intervals

- never leave the pet alone in the car, especially in summer due to high temperatures the car can reach in a short time

- do not ever allow him to overlook the windows

Never underestimate the existent rules for transport by car, they are very important to avoid unpleasant consequences. I hope I have been useful.

Nowadays, one of the first and last actions of the day is to check WhatsApp chat and social notices. What does this mean ?!

Messages work because they are simple, informal and fast. For some time, chats have almost completely replaced traditional SMS because they have more functions, are widespread and cheap, as messages are often not included in the tariff plans of mobile operators while internet is.

Throughout the world, WhatsApp has reached 1 billion and 500 thousand active users per month. In Italy it is first for the number of downloads and active users per month and, together with Facebook Messenger, has recorded a growth rate twice than Facebook.

Being the reference app for instant messaging, WhatsApp took a further step at the beginning of this year. In January 2018, WhatsApp Business app reached Google Play Store in Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, United Kingdom and United States. The choice of these countries for the launch was not accidental: except the U.S.A., the other countries are among the states where WhatsApp is more popular.

WHATSAPP BUSINESS, what advantages.

Are you looking for an easy-to-use tool that allows you to stay in touch with your customers by creating effective marketing campaigns?

What does it consist of, what is it? Why should you take it into consideration if you have a pet shop?

This new service is a free and effective tool, especially for small and medium-sized companies that provides tools to communicate with the customer more efficiently and to increase business.

I add two more data to understand why companies must consider WhatsApp Business as a communication channel, resulting from a worldwide survey that showed that:

89% of the persons being interviewed prefers to communicate with companies through SMS and instant messaging apps;

77% keeps notices for messages, while only 42% activates those of social apps.

In general, WhatsApp Business is similar to WhatsApp and includes all the functions users have become accustomed to over the last few years: sending of multimedia files, free calls, messages, group chats, offline messages and much more.

The account is identified as a business account; those who have a phone number associated with "standard" WhatsApp will have to choose whether to keep this or move to WhatsApp Business (although it's possible to use both in the same phone). The simplest solution is to associate a company number to be used only for WhatsApp Business, so that it's possible to get the certification of confirmed activity.

If you have already two different numbers, a business and a personal one, you can install both applications, WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Messenger, in the same phone and register each application with the corresponding number.

What additional functions does Business app offer in comparison with the standard one?

COMPANY PROFILE: create a profile concerning your pet shop, so that your customers can more easily find useful information, such as your website, your address (which will also be displayed on Google Maps), your opening times and contacts. When you are asked to put in the name of your business in correspondence with the screen "Business info", please do it carefully: once put in, the business name can no longer be changed.

MESSAGING TOOLS: answer your customers as fast as you can, using away messages when you're not available, or welcome messages to send an introductory message when they first write you or after 14 days of inactivity in the chat. You can also choose to send it:

- to all contacts or only to those you selected

- automatically or by scheduling the date of sending

SUPPORT FOR FIXED NUMBERS: you can use WhatsApp Business by a landline and your customers can send you messages to that number. During the verification process, choose the "Call me" option to receive the code by phone.

WHATSAPP BUSINESS and WHATSAPP MESSENGER in the same phone: this modality is possible, but each application must be associated with a separate telephone number.

WHATSAPP WEB: allows you to answer your customers directly from the PC browser, in order to be even more efficient.

CREATE AND USE QUICK ANSWERS: Quick answers avoid you having to repeat the same sentences. After having set up the answers to the most frequent questions your customers ask, you can recall them by typing "/".

SEE THE STATISTICS OF MESSAGES: you can check how many messages have been sent, delivered, read and received. We trust that with the next updates you will also get better analytics.

CLASSIFY CONTACTS: you can create up to 20 labels, choose colours and classify contacts in order to find chats and messages. Currently WhatsApp Business does not support the search for companies directly in the app. You'll have to have your customer number and add it to your contacts to start an interaction or to add it to a group.

Ask always your telephone line manager about any costs that may be charged for data traffic.

WHATSAPP BUSINESS, which disadvantages.

This application is currently compatible only with Android, which is still the most used operating system.

It's an app linked to a telephone number, therefore it cannot be shared with the same contact that supports WhatsApp standard version.

Before you can chat with customers, you must have their consent. Registration procedures will be created (as for all kinds of Business communications!) through which customers will register, allowing the receipt of text messages.

Have you already considered WhatsApp Business in your marketing strategies?

WhatsApp Business can and must be efficiently used to increase the visibility of your e-commerce and your pet shop. The main purpose is to develop a strategy thoughtfully, so as to become interesting and not to get the opposite result of being reported for "SPAM" or losing contacts.

WhatsApp Business offers you the possibility to create customized campaigns, without having to count on specific offers. In fact, thanks to WhatsApp you have a greater chance of answer and you can allow yourself to be more creative. Maybe you will need more time, but it will certainly be effective to develop the idea of an active, nice and viral brand. And this will push the potential customer to feel more curiosity towards you and to want to find out more about you.

The possibility to "segment" the area of users is another way to do marketing efficaciously: you can plan the different campaigns according to users. For example, in case of a usual customer, you could use a more informal language and focuse on special products. Your customer already knows you, knows what you offer and does not need to trust, but only to be encouraged to get a new purchase! In case of a potential customer, you will have to focus more on a general and interactive point of view, actively catching their attention.

Although WhatsApp Business has still its limits to this day, it is certainly an effective tool that should not be underestimated to create fruitful relatioships with your customers.

Besides, this App will be changed, in order to improve even more work organization such as holiday modality, silent modality and the connection with external accounts.

If you are already using it, describe us your experience in the comments below.

WhatsApp business, a useful tool for your pet shop.
Friday, November 2, 2018

Nowadays, one of the first and last actions of the day is to check WhatsApp chat and social notices. What does this mean ?!

WHATSAPP BUSINESS, what advantages.

Are you looking for an easy-to-use tool that allows you to stay in touch with your customers by creating effective marketing campaigns?

What does it consist of, what is it? Why should you take it into consideration if you have a pet shop?

This new service is a free and effective tool, especially for small and medium-sized companies that provides tools to communicate with the customer more efficiently and to increase business.

I add two more data to understand why companies must consider WhatsApp Business as a communication channel, resulting from a worldwide survey that showed that:

89% of the persons being interviewed prefers to communicate with companies through SMS and instant messaging apps;

77% keeps notices for messages, while only 42% activates those of social apps.

What additional functions does Business app offer in comparison with the standard one?

COMPANY PROFILE: create a profile concerning your pet shop, so that your customers can more easily find useful information, such as your website, your address (which will also be displayed on Google Maps), your opening times and contacts. When you are asked to put in the name of your business in correspondence with the screen "Business info", please do it carefully: once put in, the business name can no longer be changed.

MESSAGING TOOLS: answer your customers as fast as you can, using away messages when you're not available, or welcome messages to send an introductory message when they first write you or after 14 days of inactivity in the chat. You can also choose to send it:

- to all contacts or only to those you selected

- automatically or by scheduling the date of sending

SUPPORT FOR FIXED NUMBERS: you can use WhatsApp Business by a landline and your customers can send you messages to that number. During the verification process, choose the "Call me" option to receive the code by phone.

WHATSAPP BUSINESS and WHATSAPP MESSENGER in the same phone: this modality is possible, but each application must be associated with a separate telephone number.

WHATSAPP WEB: allows you to answer your customers directly from the PC browser, in order to be even more efficient.

CREATE AND USE QUICK ANSWERS: Quick answers avoid you having to repeat the same sentences. After having set up the answers to the most frequent questions your customers ask, you can recall them by typing "/".

SEE THE STATISTICS OF MESSAGES: you can check how many messages have been sent, delivered, read and received. We trust that with the next updates you will also get better analytics.

CLASSIFY CONTACTS: you can create up to 20 labels, choose colours and classify contacts in order to find chats and messages. Currently WhatsApp Business does not support the search for companies directly in the app. You'll have to have your customer number and add it to your contacts to start an interaction or to add it to a group.

Ask always your telephone line manager about any costs that may be charged for data traffic.

WHATSAPP BUSINESS, which disadvantages.

This application is currently compatible only with Android, which is still the most used operating system.

It's an app linked to a telephone number, therefore it cannot be shared with the same contact that supports WhatsApp standard version.

Have you already considered WhatsApp Business in your marketing strategies?

Although WhatsApp Business has still its limits to this day, it is certainly an effective tool that should not be underestimated to create fruitful relatioships with your customers.

Besides, this App will be changed, in order to improve even more work organization such as holiday modality, silent modality and the connection with external accounts.

If you are already using it, describe us your experience in the comments below.

It's hard to manage the disappearance of your dog: you can't think clearly because of emotion, but you have to act quickly and firmly.

In this article, you will find a guide with the instructions to follow step by step to look for your dog in case of loss.

Losing your pet is an unpleasant experience and you hope it will never happen, but if by chance you find yourself in this situation, you will have to know how to deal with it at best without wasting time uselessly.

1. Gather your thoughts

At first, try to remember date, place, time and how you lost him. You must try to remember all the details before starting his search: anything could be essential.

2. Search in the neighborhood

As soon as you have all the details good in mind, start your search. Check the place where you last saw him as best as you can. Remember to call him often by his name; if he's near, he could hear you and appear.

If your search in the neighborhood has no positive outcome, keep on searching elsewhere.

Look for him in a place where he usually tends to go with you (gardens, park, pet shop ...).

Finally, try to go home. Dogs often memorize the place where they live and the way to reach it, they are also able to walk long distances. You could find him there waiting for you!

3. Submit your report to the competent authorities

In case the previous steps prove to be not very fruitful, your next step will be to submit your report to the competent authorities.

Report the loss of your dog with a written document to the police and to the competent authorities where he was registered during the application of the microchip. If the area of loss is close to a forest, to a park or to a mountain, you may also warn forest ranger.

4. Share the disappearance of the dog on social media

Do not underestimate the power of social media, you live in an age dominated by technology, take advantage of it! Write a message to find your 4-legged friend without forgetting to include the ways to contact you and the pictures to simplify his identification. Many owners found their dogs this way!

5. Contact the shelter

Do not forget to contact the shelters in your area, because your dog may have been found and brought there. This way, you don't only check if he is there, but you can also spread the news about his loss. They could call you in case they find him.

6. Print leaflets

Leaflets are very useful, especially if hang up in the area where the dog has disappeared. By printing them you can not only spread them into your town, but you can also show them to the various shops or institutions you will encounter during your search.

7. Contact veterinarians

In addition to the area kennel, try also to contact veterinarians. Often those who find a dog take him to the nearest vet to check for the presence of the microchip and make sure that he is well.

8. Arrange group researches

If you have the opportunity, you can arrange big research groups in the area where he might have got lost: you can cover more ground, thus increasing the possibility of finding him.

9. Check every day announcements about dogs found, lost or taken for adoption

Someone may have found your dog and, not knowing what to do, he could put an announcement of finding or loss, hoping that the owner, in this case you, can see the post and answer promptly. Sometimes they could publish directly the announcement of adoption of the dog found, so pay attention also to them.

Once you have found your faithful friend:

take him as soon as possible to a veterinarian for a visit. An ordinary check is compulsory in these cases. You don't know where he was, what he ate and who he was in contact with, so it's better not to risk and make all the necessary checks.

Remember to remove the leaflets you had spread in your town and communicate the discovery of the dog on the social media where you posted the announcement.

Finally, you should make sure to be more experienced for the next time, should it happen (let's hope not!), for this reason:

provide the microchip, if you haven't already done.

Make sure he wears a collar with an ID tag that shows at least your phone number, so you can be tracked quickly.

Check that your pet is registered at the Dog Registry Office.

Do not forget that in cases like this, promptness is very important and crucial for a positive outcome.

Have you ever had a similar situation? Share your experience in the comments below :)

Eleonora Bosoni

Dr. in Veterinary Medicine

Lost dogs: how to find your four-legged friend
Friday, October 26, 2018