Kloof SPCA’s New Year’s Eve tips for pet owners
Stray and lost animals can be taken to the Kloof and Highway SPCA's standby kennels 24 hours a day.
AS the New Year approaches, the Kloof and Highway SPCA has appealed to the Highway community to prepare and take steps to protect their pets.
“The loud bangs, which very often accompany fireworks, cause animals great distress, fear and suffering as their hearing is far more acute than ours. Some animals cause injury to themselves by jumping through glass windows, over spiked fences or by running into traffic,” said the Kloof and Highway SPCA’s Brigitte Rossouw.
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Top tips for pet owners:
– Ensure that your animals have some form of identification. This can be a collar and tag, with your contact details on the tag, and/or microchip.
– If your pets are particularly frightened of fireworks, staying at home with your pets would mean that you would be there to comfort them, alternatively try and ensure that someone is able to watch them for you or keep your pets inside, draw the curtains and play calming music or turn the radio on.
– Consult your vet or local SPCA for calming medication. Do not give medication intended for humans to animals.
-Entertain your pets by giving them something to chew on or play with, catnip is a great idea for cats.
“The SPCA does not enforce the laws relating to the use of fireworks. The Explosives Act is enforced by the SAPS, to whom matters of concern need to be reported. This Act covers the sale of fireworks as well as issues relating to the discharge of fireworks in public places,” said Rossouw.
Stray and lost animals can be taken to the Kloof and Highway SPCA’s standby kennels 24 hours a day. For injured animals or emergencies, contact 031 7641212/3 during office hours or 073 335 9322 after hours. The organisation’s inspectors will be on standby over New Year.
The Kloof and Highway SPCA’s reception and kennels will also be open on New Year’s Day, (Tuesday, 1 January) from 9.30am to 11am to assist owners with lost pets.
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