Keeping animals safe this festive season

HERAUT approached the Heidelberg SPCA for some advice to keep residents’ animals safe during the festivities.

“If you are going away on holiday, please ensure your pets are well-looked after by a reputable pet or house sitter or use boarding kennels,” said Donna Gertenbach of the society.

“It is never a good idea to leave your pets unsupervised for long periods.

“Many people think it is enough to put food and water down for the entire duration of their holiday, but if your pet gets injured or sick, you will only realise it upon your return.

“This can be fatal because the animal would have suffered for an extended period.”

In the event of staying at home over the holidays with family and friends, society warned that pet owners should ensure their pets aren’t fed treats they normally aren’t allowed.

“Don’t feed them bones,” Gertenbach added.

“It can cause some costly vet bills and ensure all guests’ medications are locked away.”

On fireworks, the SPCA strongly advised any person against using them, noting that the Animal Protection Act clearly states it is illegal for any person to terrify any animal.

“New Year’s Eve is a dreaded time of year where many pets sustain life-threatening injuries while trying to escape from firework noise,” Gertenbach said.

“That’s why anyone with an animal is requested to be responsible and ensure the animal’s safety and comfort.

“Animals’ hearing is far more acute and sensitive than the hearing of a human, and sadly it is not only domestic pets that suffer. All animals, including birds, bees, wild animals, fish and farm animals experience the same stress.”

The SPCA provided various tips on pet safety:

• Ensure your pets are micro-chipped, tagged or have some form of identity in case they become disoriented and lost.

• Use calming products and medicines available in pet supply stores to help calm their nerves.

• Exercise with your pets so they are more relaxed in the evenings.

• Keep your pets indoors at night.

• Draw curtains and blinds to help soften the sounds and keep out alarming flashes of light. Keep some lights inside the house on to help temper the flashes of light from outside.

• Stay with your pets, if possible.

• If you can’t stay with them, play familiar music or sounds, or move them to a different but familiar place (like a friend’s house).

• Let them hide if they want to and don’t fuss over them.

“It is indeed the busiest time of year for most animal welfare organisations and rescues, including the Heidelberg SPCA,” said Gertenbach.

“Our society will be fully operational during the holiday season.”

The SPCA will be closed on the public holidays of the festive season, but emergencies will be dealt with by staff and volunteers.

Contact the SPCA in case of emergency on 071 994 9960.

The organisation encouraged residents to report cruelty or neglect cases to the emergency number.