Keep your pets safe from fireworks
Think before letting off a firework.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2013/10/SPCA-vehicle-Medium.jpg)
MORE family pets run away from home during holidays involving fireworks than any other day of the year.
The Lower South Coast SPCA will be manning the phones from 6pm to 2am on Saturday and Sunday this weekend for stray collections and information on missing pets.
They will also be open from 9am to midday on Saturday and Sunday for collections for pets that have gone astray.
Many animals are frightened and become panic-stricken by loud noises, particularly the loud bangs and piercing sounds produced by fireworks.
These tips will help keep your animals happy and safe:
If possible, stay home with your animals if you suspect fireworks fiends are about.
If you can’t be home with your animals, keep them inside.
Make sure that your pets have access to their favourite ‘safe place’ or find a quiet, comfortable, enclosed room where your pets can ‘hide’ if they need to.
Ensure that they cannot break through a window or slip out of a door.
Attempt to mask any noise by drawing curtains and playing calming music at a reasonable volume.
Put familiar and comforting things around them such as toys or baskets.
Provide them with something to do such as giving your dog a chewy bone or lots of catnip or a catnip toy for felines.
In case your pet runs away, make sure it has an identification tag or microchip to ensure it is returned safely when found.
You can contact the LSC SPCA at 039 3173362, sms or whatsapp at 083 2226354 or phone 083 2226355.
Thanks for acknowledging with sympathy the plight of animals during the abusive fireworks seasons and for not being dismissive on this issue as the Fever has been while fawning unctuously in its praise of religious and cultural ‘rights’ which it apparently considers more valuable than animal welfare.