Protect your animals from harm this festive season
THE SPCA has lamented the spike in the number of stray animals coming through their doors, especially during the festive season.
Brigitte Ferguson, of Kloof and Highway SPCA, appealed to pet owners to protect their pets from harm during fireworks this festive season.
“The loud bangs, which accompany fireworks, cause animals great distress, fear and suffering, as their hearing is far more acute than ours. Some animals injure themselves by jumping through glass windows, over spiked fences or by running into traffic,” Ferguson said.
She said it was necessary to implant identification microchips in pets and to give them calming medication for the noise of fireworks.
The SPCA also advised people to make the necessary provisions for their pets if they were not home with them.
“If owners are travelling – having a responsible person take care of your pets is a good idea,” Ferguson said.
Tanya Fleischer, the SPCA Durban and Coast marketing manager, said: “A herbal calming and relaxing medication for pets is recommended. It will help keep your pet calm, without the harsh effects of a tranquilliser.”
Fleischer said older pets should be checked by a vet before they are given any medication.
She said they had received 870 dogs and 1 121 cats since the start of the festive season. These were either strays or unwanted pets.
“Keep your pets indoors in a familiar room, close the windows and curtains, have the TV or radio on to muffle the sound, stay in the room with them and act normally,” she said.
The Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) said many animals were admitted for care during the festive season, whether it was due to fireworks or animals being injured by vehicles during holiday traffic.
“We have admitted close to 1 200 indigenous wildlife species, from September to the end of last month. Over the years, we have seen a spike in admissions after an evening of