Here’s a $10 investment that could be the most valuable thing you do for your cat or dog: Get them microchipped. The tiny microchip is inserted in the back of the neck and is unique to your pet; if he or she gets lost, the chip identifies who the owner is so your pet can be reunited with you. Plus, lost pets that have a microchip can be part of an emergency alert. Animal shelters in the area will be immediately notified of your pet’s details, and as the owner you’ll have 24/7 free live support to help find your lost companion animal.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Butterflies are important pollinators, so anything you can do to help them thrive in your garden is a step in the right direction. If you ever see a butterfly that is slow-moving or helpless due to a torn wing, you can actually help it. A tiny piece of transparent tape can help repair a torn wing, enough to mend it and enable the butterfly to fly again. This will add a few extra days to its lifespan, which could be enough for it to reproduce. You can also leave a dish of diluted sugar water out to help give butterflies an energy boost.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Spare change that accidentally ends up in a load of laundry seems like no big deal, but the reality is it can cause serious damage. The centrifugal force that washing machines use to draw water out of wet clothes can turn a few pennies, nickels and dimes into destructive projectiles inside the machine, causing damage to your machine’s mechanical components. Make it a habit to check all pockets so every wash is a coin-free one. This one step can help prevent your washing machine from breaking down.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION