A case of mistaken identity ended up killing a beloved family pet. Maria Velez and her son, Austin, went to pick up their cat, Buddy, from the vet only to discover he had been euthanized. Velez said when she arrived at Hernando County Animal Hospital, workers handed over a cat that bore Buddy’s orange tiger stripe markings but was missing its tail and far too skinny to be her pet.

Workers then realized that Buddy was dead. An animal service worker who meant to call Buddy’s owner had called the wrong person. That person said they did not want the cat and gave the OK to euthanize Buddy.

“I was horrified,” Velez told St. Petersburg Times. “My poor baby.”

Animal services is investigating the incident and looking into new ways to prevent an accidental death like this from ever happening again. “We try so hard to get animals home and not let them get euthanized,” said Liana Teague, code and animal services manager fro Hernando County. “It tears the staff up. I know it’s more tragic for the owner, but it’s terrible for us. It’s not what we do.”

The Times reports that Buddy was taken to the hospital after he bit a family friend who was taking care of him while Velez was on vacation. Her bite began to swell, and Buddy needed to be tested for rabies. Velez was instructed to quarantine Buddy, and she complied. Once the feline was cleared, a worker called to inform Velez  Buddy could be picked up- and unfortunately, it was the wrong pet owner on the other line. Debra Yarzab, the family friend who was bit by Buddy, was livid.

“They said, ‘It happens. We don’t live in a perfect world, and Buddy paid the ultimate price’,” Yarzab told the Times. Velez wanted Buddy’s story to be known so that the animal hospital would make appropriate protocol changes. “I know there is no bringing back my baby,” she said. “I just want changes so that this never happens again.”

These days, many pet owners are trying to find alternative treats for their pets, so now is a good time to review what foods are harmful to our animal companions.

Most people know chocolate is bad for all pets. Candy bars, baking chocolate and cocoa powder all contain theobromine, a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. When an animal eats chocolate, it may become very thirsty, urinate excessively, vomit or have diarrhea as well as an irregular heartbeat. Although the symptoms may be subtle, death is possible within 24 hours.

Onions and garlic are other dangerous foods. They contain thiosulphate, a substance that causes illness in cats, dogs and livestock. When a pet is poisoned by onions, at first they become weak, begin vomiting and have diarrhea, followed by difficulty breathing and reddish urine. Even a small amount of onion from onion powder ingested over time can be harmful.

Macadamia nuts have also been found to be harmful to dogs. Roasted, raw or in nut butters, dogs that have eaten macadamia nuts exhibit joint pain, swelling, tremors and paralysis of the hind legs. Researchers have found that the affected animals do recover, but it’s best to keep these out of their reach.

Grapes and raisins are lethal and can cause severe kidney failure and death in dogs and cats.

Other threats to your pet’s health include fruit pits from pears, apples, peaches, apricots and plums. Potato peelings and green potatoes, rhubarb leaves, alcohol, yeast dough, coffee grounds, beans, tea, hops used in home brewing, tomato leaves and stems, large amounts of broccoli, cigarettes, tobacco and cigars.

This is a list of some of the most common human foods that have the most severe complications for cats and dogs. There are many foods that are okay for humans but not for pets of any species. It’s always best to stick to feeding your pets food designed with them in mind.

The 4th of July can be a lot of fun for you and your family, including your pets, but certain aspects of the holiday can put your pets under stress.  The dangers of the holiday include over-exuberant guests, dehydration and sunburn, overly rich food, toxic items such as matches and lighter fluid, and the noise from fireworks.

Here are six tips to ensure that you and your pets have a happy and safe holiday.  

1. Make sure your pet is comfortable with the level of attention he or she is getting from your guests.  Children, in particular, can overwhelm a shy pet.  Bear in mind that many animals don’t like to be hugged or held by strangers, so keep an eye out and be prepared to step in and protect your pet if necessary.

2. Give your pet lots of water, especially if you are spending time outdoors.  Most animals get dehydrated much faster than humans.  Also watch for signs of overheating.  Since many pets have fur all over their bodies, they aren’t able to release excess heat as effectively as we are.

3. Consider putting sunscreen on your pet.  Some areas that sunburn fairly easily are the belly and ears of light-colored pets, as well as the noses of pink-nosed pets.  Make sure the sunscreen you choose is non-toxic, PABA-free, and unscented, since pets have sensitive skin and may also try to lick the sunscreen off.  Sunscreens formulated especially for pets are available.

4. Avoid giving your pet human food– or at least keep the human food to a minimum.  Rich human foods like those at barbecues can give your pet an upset tummy, and that can put a real crimp in your 4th of July celebration.  The same applies to alcoholic beverages.

5. Keep matches, lighter fluid, charcoal, and the like out of your pet’s reach.  If you find your pet has eaten anything inappropriate or dangerous, consult a veterinarian immediately.

6. Many pets find the sound, vibrations, and flashes from fireworks extremely frightening.  Make sure your pet is either on leash with you, in a crate, or otherwise secured when the fireworks start.  If you have not been through a 4th of July holiday with your pet before, it’s best to either stay home with your pet or get a pet sitter to keep your pet company. Many a family has come home from watching fireworks to find that the pet they left home alone has somehow managed to escape and is nowhere to be found.

Feel free to comfort your pet if he or she seems distressed during the fireworks.  Contrary to popular belief, this does not make the fear worse, and it has the potential to make your pet feel better.