Keep them safe this “silly season”

We are now heading into that time of the year where the world becomes a scary and sometimes dangerous place for our pets and it is up to us their owners to protect them.

FIREWORKS.

These are never going away, 5 November and that week between Christmas eve and New Years Day is hell on earth for animals, and now is the time to start preparing your dog.

The safest place for them is inside. If your dog does not sleep inside prepare a safe space for them in an outside room or your garage. Start teaching your dog to spend time in this safe space by making the experience pleasant. A nice chew or stuffed Kong, a BIG fresh bone to chew or just sitting with hour dog. Start off with short periods and gradually work towards longer periods with the door closed. Ensure there is adequate ventilation and your dog has water.

Now is the time to put money aside to get medication from your vet. Your dog will need a consultation for prescription meds.

Make sure there is no way your dog can become impaled by palisade, get stuck in a gate or fence, or severely injure itself trying to jump through a window. Folks we see these images every year, make sure your dog is not a statistic

It is YOUR duty to keep your dogs safe and contained inside your property during fireworks.

POISONINGS

As Christmas approaches so the number of house break ins and sadly poisonings increase. The best way to prevent your dog from being poisoned is by allowing your dog to sleep inside. A dog that sleeps inside will not only be able to warn you, but because it cannot be poisoned, is a better deterrent. If your dog doesnt sleep inside, please keep them safe in an outside room or garage.

Check your property before letting your dogs out in the morning. Look for pieces of meat, dead birds, polony, and other edible items that may have been thrown over the wall during the night. If possible keep dogs away from the gate.

In case of emergency keep a 24hr vets number on hand, time is of the essence when it comes to poisonings.

This year, let us all do better, lets take the burden off of the shelters and SPCAs by taking responsibility for our own dogs and cats. If we each just start preparing now, and we just ensure our own pets are safe, we can avoid tragedies, and the already over stretched shelters can focus on the animals who desperately need them.