Friday, August 31, 2012

Back to School Cleaning Tips: Cleaning Backpacks and Lunch Bags

Find out how KIDS 'N' PETS can clean up your old lunch bags and backpacks, making them as good as new!

Do you purchase new backpacks and lunch bags each school year? A great way to save money and live a little greener is to repurpose your kids' bags from last year. Unfortunately, lunch bags filled with last month's lunch, and backpack pockets that have been stashing sweet treats from last Valentine's day, can leave your children's Jansport looking (and smelling!) a little funky.

Lunch bags and backpacks. Photo: somegeekintn

Here are some quick tips on how to use KIDS 'N' PETS Stain & Odor Remover to spiff up last year's school bags:

For stains:

  1. Pre-soak any visible stains with KIDS 'N' PETS
  2. Wait 10 minutes (up to 30 minutes for old, tough to remove stains)
  3. Launder as usual in washing machine

For overall dirty and stained bags and backpacks:

  1. Pre-soak the entire bag/backpack in KIDS 'N' PETS
  2. Wait 30 minutes
  3. Launder as usual in washing machine



Lunch bags can harbor mold and bacteria, be sure to get these thoroughly clean before reusing!

In addition, tears can be covered with fun iron-on or sew-on patches which allow kids to personalize their bags.

What are your tips and tricks for reusing and saving money on back to school supplies? Tell us on Facebook!

Monday, August 13, 2012

Elderly Cat Care with KIDS 'N' PETS


What a surprise we had in the office this morning as we received this wonderful letter from a VERY sweet customer. Thank you Cathy for sharing your story, we were moved and wanted to share it with our blog readers. Cheers and thank you for your kind words!

"I never do this...but this is, hands down, THE best product I have EVER found.  I decided to try it solely based on the number of people raving about Kids n Pets online.  Well, add me to the list!!  I am a customer for life.  

I have a sweet elderly cat who has been my friend for 14 of her 15 years.  She now suffers with diabetes and does things outside her litter box she never used to do, simply because her kidneys are no longer functioning properly.  I do not have the heart to put her outside to live now that she is going through the hardest part of her life.  (I'm in Texas and it is104* right now.)  I also refuse to put her down just to get her out of MY misery.  So - I had a major dilemma on my hands.  Although I still try to work with her to use her litter box, Kids n Pets makes the effort I put into cleaning up her mistakes pay off.  She has plenty of mistakes..  Thanks to your product, my house does not give that fact away.  I want to say thank you for making it possible for my baby to live to the fullest where she is comfortable and loved.  Kids n Pets is AWESOME!!!"
                  -Cathy J., Robert Lee, Texas


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Adopting a Greyhound: Tips from Homeward Bound Greyhound Association


Learn more about our July Pet Partner of the Month and the special work they do to provide forever homes for retired racing Greyhounds.


Homeward Bound Greyhound Association (HBGA) is a volunteer  managed, IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The organization’s mission is:
  • to find responsible loving homes for retired racing Greyhounds,
  • to educate the public about the desirability of Greyhounds as pets,
  • to inform the public of the availability of retired racing Greyhounds for adoption,
  • to build a community of individuals with an appreciation of the Greyhound breed, and
  • to work toward the continued well-being of racing Greyhounds.
HBGA volunteers work with track personnel in Birmingham, AL to bring these retired racers to the local tri-state area (Cincinnati, OH). Once they arrive, they are placed in foster homes where they learn to navigate things like stairs and shiny floors, are taught that windows are solid even though they are clear, learn to play and are exposed to a life full of exciting and sometimes scary new experiences.
While the  greyhounds are learning about a new kind of everyday life, HBGA volunteers are actively working to find them the most loving, compatible, “forever” homes  possible. This involves attending many “meet and greets” and taking advantage of every opportunity to educate the public about the joys of sharing your life with these gentle companions.
Photo: Marianne Perdemo

One critical  part of educating the public is clearing up the many misconceptions about greyhounds. Below are some greyhound “truths.”
  • Greyhounds  do not actually need lots of room to run and exercise. While a fenced yard is best (and more convenient for owners), daily walks and an occasional visit to a dog park are sufficient for most. Greyhounds have been successfully placed in apartments and condominiums.
  • Greyhounds  are typically not “high strung.” Most are naturally laid back, well mannered and sensitive. They tend to be compliant with a personality that helps them adapt quickly to a new lifestyle.
  • Most  greyhounds do quite well with children who have been taught how to be respectful and gentle with dogs.
These  magnificent animals spend their lives from birth to retirement as the cornerstone of an industry that provides entertainment and employment for many. The generosity of our volunteers, donors and managers of our “meet and greet” locations make it possible to give these “couch potatoes” the retirement they deserve.
To learn more about this amazing breed and how you can help, please visit our website at www.hbgatristate.org. For additional  information, contact Mary Beth DeSalvo at (513) 886-2520.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Win a Year's Supply of KIDS 'N' PETS Cleaning Products




Right now, all KIDS ‘N’ PETS Facebook fans are invited to compete in the interactive KIDS ‘N’ PETS Ultimate Mess Tug of War contest and earn a chance to win a year’s supply of KIDS ‘N’ PETS Stain & Odor Remover! 


Four messy contenders are battling it out through Tuesday, July 10th at noon PDT to be named the KIDS ‘N’ PETS Ultimate Mess. Each day, vote for your favorite in our weekly tug of war matches, leave a comment about your ultimate mess experience, and be entered to win a year’s supply of KIDS ‘N’ PETS! Ultimate messes will be a past problem for one lucky fan. Good luck and get voting on Facebook here: http://bit.ly/MmQSk5 


Thursday, June 14, 2012

An Interview with KIDS 'N' PETS founder John Latta

In honor of Father’s Day, we interviewed dad and KIDS ‘N’ PETS founder, John Latta. Learn more about him, his family, and how he was inspired to create the KIDS ‘N’ PETS line.

And Happy Father’s Day to Dads Everywhere! 


1.       Tell us a little bit about your background/story and what inspired you to create KIDS 'N' PETS?

WHEN MY TWO CHILDREN WERE VERY YOUNG WE GOT TWO KITTENS WHO HAD STARTED URINATING UNDERNEATH THE DINING ROOM TABLE. WE WERE LIVING IN A VERY SMALL HOUSE AND WHEN THE MORNING SUN CAME UP AND SHONE ON THE SPOT, THE ENTIRE HOUSE WREAKED OF CAT URINE. WE TRIED SPRAYING EVERYTHING ON THE SPOT BUT THE KITTENS JUST KEPT GOING THERE. SO WITH THE HELP OF MY BROTHER (A CHEMICAL ENGINEER) AND SOME OTHERS WE SET OUT TO INVENT A PRODUCT THAT WOULD ELIMINATE URINE ODORS. AT THE TIME MY KIDS WERE ALSO MAKING ALL SORTS OF MESSES WITH FOOD, DRINKS, DIAPER BLOWOUTS, POTTY TRAINING, ETC. SO WE DECIDED THE PRODUCT WOULD BE SORT OF AN ALL PURPOSE PRODUCT THAT CLEANED UP AFTER ALL THE TYPICAL MESSES THAT CHILDREN AND PETS MAKE AROUND THE HOME. AND SINCE THE KIDS WERE STILL CRAWLING ON THE FLOOR, WE WANTED A VERY SAFE, NON-TOXIC PRODUCT. SO WE SET OUT TO INVENT THE FORMULA WITH THOSE GOALS IN MIND.

2. What did you want to be when you were a kid?

 I WANTED TO TRAVEL ALL OVER THE WORLD. I HAD A REAL SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE – A YOUNG INDIANA JONES – WHO WAS SEARCHING FOR THE HOLY GRAIL IN…FISHING. THAT’S IT. I JUST WANTED TO GO FISHING ALL OVER THE WORLD!

3. What's a question you get all the time when you tell people about your products?

DO KIDS ‘N’ PETS PRODUCTS REALLY WORK? PET URINE ODORS AND URINE ODORS FROM POTTY TRAINING AND BEDWETTING WITH KIDS IS SOMETHING MOST FOLKS ARE VERY ANXIOUS TO GET RID OF – PERMANENTLY!

4. Who are the top 3 people that influence you the most?

ABRAHAM LINCOLN (HONEST ABE WASN’T AFRAID TO BE TRUTHFUL), GANDHI (HE UNDERSTOOD THAT “RIGHT MAKES MIGHT” AND NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND) AND ECKHART TOLLE (HE’S NOT FAKING THE INCREDIBLE PEACE THAT EMANATES FROM HIM).

5. If you could live in any place of the world, where would it be?

RIGHT HERE. I LOVE THE LUSHNESS HERE IN THE GREATER SEATTLE AREA. OF COURSE, A SECOND HOME IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS WOULD BE NICE TOO!

6. Describe a typical day in your life.

TAKE MY STEP DAUGHTERS TO SCHOOL. GO TO WORK. GET EXCITED WHEN SALES ARE UP AND CUSTOMERS ARE HAPPY. DISMAYED IF A CUSTOMER IS NOT HAPPY. SPEND TIME DREAMING ABOUT AND INVENTING SAFER, MORE EFFECTIVE NEW PRODUCTS. ANSWER LOTS OF E-MAIL. PICK UP STEP DAUGHTERS AT SCHOOL. TAKE STEP DAUGHTERS TO SOCCER OR MUSIC LESSONS. TALK TO MY WIFE AND KIDS ABOUT THEIR DAY. HAVE DINNER. HELP MY YOUNGEST STEP DAUGHTER WITH HER MATH HOMEWORK. READ A BOOK. GO TO BED. 

7. If you had to choose... wine or chocolate?

CHOCOLATE

8. What's the biggest lesson you learned while making/building your product?  

I DISCOVERED THINGS TOOK CARE OF THEMSELVES IF WE COULD JUST PUT SAMPLES OF OUR KIDS ‘N’ PETS PRODUCTS IN CUSTOMER’S HANDS. IF THEY HAD KIDS OR PETS, THEY HAD MESSES AND SMELLS! GUARANTEED. SO WE FOUND THE KEY WAS SIMPLY GETTING CUSTOMERS TO TRY OUR PRODUCTS. THEY WERE OFTEN SO HAPPY AND SURPRISED BY THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR PRODUCTS THAT WE OFTEN HAD CUSTOMERS FOR LIFE!

9. What's a natural/non-toxic product you could never live without?

THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT NATURAL, NON-TOXIC PRODUCTS NOW THAT IT’S HARD TO CHOOSE JUST ONE. I WOULD SAY THAT I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT MY LOCAL P.C.C. NATURAL MARKETS – A SMALL LOCAL GROCERY CHAIN THAT WORKS HARDER THAN ANY OTHER RETAILER TO SUPPLY ONLY THE SAFEST, MOST NATURAL PRODUCTS AROUND. THEY REALLY MAKE IT EASY FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS.

10. If there is one thing/thought/idea that you could pass on to the next generation, what would it be? 

TREAT EVERYONE WITH COMPASSIONATE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING. FROM THIS PLACE THE WORLD AUTOMATICALLY STARTS TO CHANGE IN WONDROUS AND POSITIVE WAYS. IN OTHER WORDS, I FEEL THAT HOW WE TREAT EACH OTHER IS PRIMARY. EVERYTHING ELSE IS SECONDARY.




Friday, May 25, 2012

Tips for Adopting Pets - Humane Society of Dover-Stewart County


Adoption Insights from Kristi Moyer,
Humane Society of Dover-Stewart County

The HumaneSociety of Dover-Stewart County is this month’s KIDS ‘N’ PETS featured Pet Partner of the Month.  Thanks go out to Kristi Moyer for sharing her insight on pet adoption and care. 

KIDS ‘N’ PETS:  What is the most popular pet adopted at the Humane Society of Dover?
KRISTI:  We are a large dog rescue and deal a lot with Pitbulls.


KIDS ‘N’ PETS:  Before adopting a pet, what do you think is the most important thing to consider?
KRISTI:  The most important thing to consider when adopting a pet is to ask yourself:  Will this pet fit in my lifestyle or will I change my lifestyle to accommodate a pet? If you are not an outdoors type of person who does not like to go on walks, a toy breed dog or a cat is your best option. Do some research on the type of care and attention your new pet will require.

KIDS ‘N’ PETS:  What have you used KIDS ‘N’ PETS for?
KRISTI:  KIDS ‘N’ PETS is used to clean carpets, tile floors, my couch and the dog bed. 


KIDS ‘N’ PETS:  Any additional tips for people who are looking to adopt but also have kids?
KRISTI:  Teach your kids how to treat your pets and show them how to interact with pets correctly and not to pull tails and ears. 

Monday, May 21, 2012

KIDS 'N' PETS Coupon - Save on Cleaning Products


Save $1 on KIDS ‘N’ PETS!


Hey friends, for a limited time now through May 31st, you can save $1 on an in-store purchase of any KIDS ‘N’ PETS cleaning product! To claim your coupon:
  1. Visit us on Facebook and like our page
  2. Print off your coupon for $1 OFF
  3. Head to the cleaning aisle of your local Walmart or nearest retailer and choose your favorite product (Find a store here: http://kidsnpetsbrand.com/wheretobuy.html)

It’s that easy! Enjoy your new KIDS ‘N’ PETS product and stay tuned to our Facebook page for more special offers!