LA Animal Services Shares Six Tips To Make the Holidays Safer for Pets
LA Animal Services Media Contacts:
Agnes Sibal-von Debschitz, (213) 482-9512 or agnes.sibal@lacity.org
Justin Khosrowabadi, (213) 482-9551 or justin.khosrowabadi@lacity.org
LA Animal Services Serves Up Safety Tips to
Keep Your Pets Safe This Thanksgiving Holiday
Los Angeles, December 24, 2020 – With the holiday season upon us, many families plan to include their furry animal members in their celebrations, and with all the holiday hustle and bustle, we can easily forget about the potential dangers that may come along with all the festivities. So as you gear up the the holidays, LA Animal Services would like to to remind you of the following tips to keep your pet safe:
1. Beware of holiday décor. Our pets often see these festive décor as something to eat or play with, but many holiday decor is harmful to pets:
- Tinsel, if consumed, can cause intestinal blockage, while breakable ornaments and other glass decorations can cause injuries. Place tinsel and fragile decorations up high and out of reach from your pet.
- Electric lights and wires can cause burns if pets chew on them.
- Christmas Trees can tip over if your pet wants to climb the tree, so consider tying it down to a door frame. If the tree is real, keep the water covered and inaccessible to pets because the water may contain fertilizer and other harmful chemicals.
2. Watch out for festive flowers and plants. Poinsettias can cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal irritation. However, there are other seasonal foliage that you should be more wary of such as amaryllis, holly, lilies, and mistletoe, which can be dangerous and even poisonous to pets who decide to eat them.
3. Keep people food away from pets. We have a tendency to share our holiday meals with our pets, which often results in overindulgence. Even when we don’t purposely include them, the agile and creative dog or cat can capture a special treat from the kitchen counter, trash, or even the dining room table. Dogs and cats can suffer very serious and sometimes fatal consequences from turkey or chicken bones, consuming too much rich and fatty foods, yeast dough, chocolate, and from just plain overeating. Instead of giving your companion animal leftovers, stop by a pet food store and purchase some new dog biscuits or cat treats.
4. Create a safe space for your pet. Loud noises and noisemakers can scare your furry friend. Try creating a safe place in your home, like a room or crate with their favorite toy, where your pet can have some quiet space if needed.
5. Plan ahead. If you are not going to be home with your pet, unplug decorations, and take out the trash to make sure your pet doesn’t sneak any food scraps. If your pet is not acting like themselves, consult your veterinarian and make sure you know how to get to your 24/7 emergency veterinary clinic before there’s an emergency.
6. Always make sure your pet has up-to-date identification. If for any reason you and your pet are separated, a collar with a current license and/or ID tag on them as well as a microchip, which is registered and has your most current your contact information, will help reunite you with your lost companion animal.
By keeping these precautions in mind, the holiday season can be enjoyable and safe instead of a stressful one for you and your furry family members.
###
Los Angeles Department of Animal Services is one of the largest municipal shelter systems in the United States with six services centers serving approximately 60,000 animals annually and responding to 20,000 emergency calls involving an animal or person in danger. LA Animal Services promotes and protects the health, safety, and welfare of animals and people. LA Animal Services also is part of the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) national coalition as a Tier 1 animal organization offering pet owners with access to resources to keep their pets home; helping to get lost pets home quickly without having to enter the shelter system; providing food and medical assistance; and continuing to build on a strong foster program to house more pets in foster homes. Visit our link.tree for helpful links to the services and resources available to you and your companion animals. Connect with LA Animal Services and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
