ANIMAL COMPANIONS
Holiday themes may pose dangers to pets

Hawaiian Humane Society

Stocking stuffer that benefits homeless animals "Pets in Paradise" is a colorful, user-friendly 2004 calendar ($10) featuring 900 local pets posing in Hawai'i's beautiful scenery.

Indoor foliage: An evergreen tree inside the house is a concept that your pet may not understand. Teach your pets that this tree is different than trees outdoors. Make sure the base of the tree stand is broad enough to keep the tree upright when nudged by kids and pets.

Decorate with care: Avoid tinsel, garlands and strings of popcorn because they pose a choking danger. Breakable decorations, especially those hung on Christmas trees, should be out of your animal's reach.

Fragile figurines and candles should be placed away from your pet's napping spots or travel pathways. And avoid putting wrapped gifts of candy or food under the tree — your pet will sniff them out and chow down when you're not looking.

Climbing the tree: To keep cats out of the holiday tree, hang citrus-scented ornaments, air fresheners or dryer sheets from low branches next to the trunk. Put a cone-shaped cardboard obstruction about halfway up the trunk to prevent the cat from climbing to the top.

Position the tree so athletic cats can't use a table or shelf to launch themselves into the tree.

Dangerous water: If you have an evergreen, use plain water in the tree stand, or completely cover the stand with a tree skirt. Additives such as aspirin and Tylenol that may make the tree last longer are extremely toxic to animals.

Electrical hazards: Every year it seems there are house fires caused by electrical problems. Look closely at your lighted decorations before you put them up again. Then check holiday lights often to make sure your pet is not chewing on the wires or batting at the small bulbs. And whenever you leave home, remember to unplug the Christmas tree lights.

No treats from the table: The holiday season brings out delicious goodies for humans that can be harmful to dogs and cats. Chocolates can be fatal to pets, so keep the candies away from them. Don't feed them turkey, gravy, scraps of fat or human food leftovers — they can upset the gastrointestinal balance in our animal friends.

Turkey bones splinter and become dangerous when chewed. Remember that your clever pets may find leftovers when you're not looking, so put food away promptly. Secure your kitchen garbage in a cabinet inside or a closed trash can outside, where the animals can't discover it.

Happy holidays: Your animal friends will appreciate your efforts to keep them safe through the holidays.

ADOPTABLES

Tyson

Tag No. 12791

This unusual 3-year-old male cat has a black-and-white coat and golden eyes. Tyson is no fighter, but he takes his name from his odd left ear. Look for this lovable character in Room 3 at the Cat House.

Colleen

Tag No. 831

At age 8, Colleen is a calm collie mix with a sweet disposition. Her coat is brown with white accents and white at the tip of her wagging tail. Colleen's adoption fee is waived for someone 60 or older through the Seniors for Seniors program.

These particular animals already may have found new homes. Visit all the pets in person. The Hawaiian Humane Society and McInerny Dog Park at 2700 Wai'alae Ave. are open Mondays through Fridays from noon to 8 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The incoming animals' area always is open. If you've lost or found an animal, call the society immediately at 946-2187, ext. 285. See www.hawaiianhumane.org.