Make sure your pets are taken care of these holidays
NSPCA reminds pet owners to ensure their pets are well taken care of this December holidays.
The December holidays are in full swing and the NSPCA is reminding all pet owners to ensure that their pets have a responsible individual looking after them, while they are away.
December is a time to relax and forget the year’s stress – but one should never forget about their pets.
“You need to get a responsible pet sitter, family member or friend to look after your pets during this time.
“Someone who will ensure they are properly fed, given them their medicine (if your pets require it), and who can calm them down when there is a storm or when fireworks are being used,” urged the NSPCA.
“Each year local SPCAs receive an influx of lost/runaway pets as animals try to escape the noise of fireworks.
“Some animals injure themselves or even get stuck on fences while trying to get away.”
ALSO READ: How does an SPCA adoption work?
Planning to take your pets with you on holiday?
The NSPCA has compiled a list of helpful tips to help make the trip to your holiday destination easier for you and your pets.
“It is always stressful to travel with your pet, but these tips will help make the trip easier for you,” the NSPCA said.
• Feed Lightly:
When travelling feed your pet/pats a light meal two to three hours before you plan to depart.
Avoid feeding your pet in a moving vehicle.
• Bring the Basics:
Be sure to pack the pets’ essentials, such as food and water bowls, leashes, a poop scoop, a plastic bag and food and water and have them easily accessible.
Unexpected delays may mean you might have to use any or all of these items on route.
• Identify your pet:
Microchip identification is recommended to best identify your pet.
The NSPCA, however, also suggests that for a journey of considerable distance you should place a temporary disc on your pet’s collar.
The disc should give your destination information and/or a cellphone contact number where you can be reached.
• Harness:
It is recommended that you use a harness rather than a leash when your dog is inside a vehicle.
• Keep heads inside the vehicle:
For safety’s sake be sure to keep your pets’ heads inside the vehicle at all time.
If a pet hangs his head outside a moving vehicle, it can lead to injuries from flying objects, inner ear damage or even lung infections.
• Consider barriers:
Consider inserting barriers, for what is going to be the pet carrying area.
These barriers make travelling much safer for your pets, especially in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
“It might be a good idea to water-proof seat covers with a thick plastic and to do the same to floors in the vehicle for ease of clean-up if accidents do happen,” said the NSPCA.
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.zaor Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za
Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:
Or add the GCN on WhatsApp 079 406 1181 or BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137) today, to get all the latest news.
Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers Bedfordview Edenvale News, Alberton Record and Kempton Express.
