Animal Companions
Ensure pet safety during New Year's
Compiled by the Hawaiian Humane Society
The festive celebrations marking the New Year can be a scary time for animals of all types. Our four-legged and feathered friends don't usually share our fascination with explosive sounds and bright flashes of light. These things frequently frighten pets, some more than others, and, as their guardians, we must plan ahead to protect them.
Holiday hours Adoptions and McInerny Dog Park at the Hawaiian Humane Society (2700 Wai'alae Ave.) are normally open noon to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends.
With increased holiday activities and parties, your pet may get a little bewildered or stressed, especially if it is one who is new to your household. Keep your pet safe during parties and the blitz of fireworks, minimizing the effects of excitement. Bring it inside and provide it with a quiet room away from the noise — with food, water, familiar toys and blankets for comfort, and, for felines, a litter box. Play the radio with some restful music, and check on your animal companion to reassure it that everything is all right.
Basil loves to explore the back yard, but she doesn't get to go out during New Year's festivities. Owner Jack Kronen keeps her safe inside. Basil's photo is featured for the November 2002 spread in the Hawaiian Humane Society's calendar.
Some animals get so upset by the fireworks that you may be tempted to tranquilize them. Your veterinarian can prescribe the appropriate medicine to calm your animal, so call as soon as possible. Don't give human tranquilizers to pets.
The New Year brings the greatest number of "lost pet" reports to the Humane Society. Many animals arrive at the shelter with no ID tag or microchip to help the staff reunite the animals with their owners. Take a moment now to write your phone number on your pet's collar.
Make sure all animals wear identification. Dogs and cats should wear a collar with your name and phone number. For added protection, consider having your canine or feline companion implanted with a microchip. Your veterinarian can implant a tiny microchip in your companion animals in just minutes. Once found, the Humane Society and many veterinarians have scanners that can read the data on your pet's microchip and find the information on how to contact you.
If your animal friend lives indoors, remember that it can slip out the door unnoticed when guests are arriving or leaving. Outdoor pets should be brought indoors, or at least onto an enclosed lanai or into the garage.
When severely frightened, animals can, and have, jumped through screened windows and over high fences, and have broken leather leashes and chains. Each year we hear stunned pet owners tell us, "He has never jumped that fence before" and "Her leash and collar were laying on the ground, and she was gone."
Animal Intake, Emergencies
It is especially dangerous for frantic pets to run loose in the midst of busy holiday traffic — dangerous for them, and dangerous for drivers. Animals kept inside remain safe so that they can provide you with another year of love in 2002.
•
Special holiday visiting and adoption hours:
• New Year's Eve: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• New Year's Day: closed (except for lost animal retrieval)
• Open 24 hours every day, including New Year's Day.
It's also good to keep handy your veterinarian's phone number and a guide to emergency first-aid for animals. The information is available at the Humane Society, and a PDF version is at www.hawaiianhumane.org — look for animal care, dog care and emergency/first-aid procedures. This information was supplied to us by the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association and should also be available from your veterinarian.
From all of us at the Hawaiian Humane Society, we wish you and your companion animals a safe and happy holiday season.
