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Downey, CA
With the holiday season just around the corner, we turn our thoughts
to entertaining friends and family in our homes. But decorations and
festive feasts can also be hazardous to pets, warns the Southeast
Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA).
"The holiday
season is a festive time of year when families and friends get
together to share meals and each other's company," said Dan
Morrison, executive director at SEAACA. "However, some traditions
during the holidays can be harmful to our pets."
Keep in mind
the following tips to ensure the safety of the pets in our families:
Certain plants
such as Mistletoe berries, and the leaves, stem and flowers of the
Poinsettia can be dangerous to pets. Be sure to keep these plants
well out of the reach of animals in your home, or consider using
artificial versions.
Foods and
drinks such as alcoholic beverages, seeds and pits from many fruits,
chocolate, macadamia nuts, walnuts, coffee, tea, salt, onions and
other foods can be harmful to pets.
Never feed pets
leftovers from the dinner table. Items such as chicken or turkey
bones can easily shatter and choke cats and dogs.
When cooking
dinner for your guests, be sure to move pet birds away from the
kitchen area. Fumes released from non-stick cookware and
self-cleaning ovens can be deadly.
Decorations
such as tinsel, glass ornaments and garlands can easily attract
pets, but are dangerous choking hazards. Electric decorations such
as stringed lights can give your pets a shock should they chew on
the wires. Keep decorations out of their reach.
The unusual
commotion of the holiday season can be stressful on animals as well
as humans. Put your pets in a quiet room or quiet area of the house
when guests are visiting.
When traveling
with your pets, make sure they are properly secured and don't fly
them in the cargo area on airplanes unless absolutely necessary.
Spend a little
extra time with your pets this holiday season to keep them feeling
loved and appreciated.
Avoid the
temptation to give a pet as a gift. Instead, come to SEAACA and
purchase a holiday gift certificate -- good for a pet adoption,
which includes the first set of vaccinations, neutering and a
microchip. It's proven that pets stand a better chance of becoming a
life-long addition to a family if actually selected personally by
the new adopter.
SEAACA's animal
care center is open for pet adoptions Tuesday thru Friday 11 to 6
and on Saturday from 10 to 5. Holiday pet adoption gift certificates
are available at the front counter from November 26 to December 25.
Happy Holidays
from all of us at SEAACA! |
Animal
Law Enforcement & Rescue
