LA Animal Services Wants to Wish All Pet Owners a Safe and Happy New Year With Some Safety Tips

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LA Animal Services Media Contacts:
Justin Khosrowabadi, (213) 482-9551 or justin.khosrowabadi@lacity.org
Agnes Sibal-von Debschitz, (213) 482-9512 or agnes.sibal@lacity.org

LA Animal Services Wants to Wish All Pet Owners a Safe and Happy New Year With Some Safety Tips

Los Angeles, December 31, 2019 – While many people look forward to the big gatherings with friends and family on New Year’s Eve, these year-end festivities are often accompanied by fireworks, noisemakers, music, and champagne, which can be dangerous and frightening for our beloved pets. To ensure your New Year’s celebration is an enjoyable occasion, here are some timely tips to help keep our animal companions safe:

1. Keep your pet indoors
New Year’s Eve and the days following are usually some of the busiest times for our six LA Animal Services Centers, as many pets escape their homes because they are afraid of loud sounds from fireworks.

  • The best way to keep your pets safe is to make sure they stay indoors and in an enclosed room, if possible.
  • If you do allow your pet outside to go to the bathroom, be sure that your gates or fence are secure or that your pet stays on a leash. Loud noises from fireworks can be very intimidating and may cause a scared dog to find the smallest opening in a fence and escape.

Even if your pet doesn’t seem obviously upset by fireworks, they can still cause harm to pets by burning them or if accidentally ingested.

2. Create a calming environment
If you are having guests over for a party, try creating a safe place in your home where your pet can have some quiet space away from company such as a room that is off-limits or a familiar crate with some of their favorite toys or a comforting blanket.

  • Play soothing music and keep the room as quiet as possible by closing doors, windows and blinds. While celebrating, it is easy to forget that loud noises and celebratory poppers or noisemakers can scare your four-legged friend.

3. Make sure toxic food and drinks are out of reach
Alcoholic beverages are very toxic to pets. Be sure to let all guests know that alcoholic drinks and foods should be kept out of reach at all times, and should not be shared with pets.

4. Always make sure your pet has up-to-date identification
If for any reason your pet escapes or becomes lost, a collar with a current license and/or ID tag on them and a microchip that is registered with your contact information, will help reunite you with your companion animal.

5. What to do if your pet does get out
Go to the nearest animal shelter where you last saw your best friend. Tell them that you lost your pet and give them specific information about what your pet looks like, if they are microchipped and if they are wearing a license or tag.

By keeping these precautions in mind, New Year’s Eve can be a fun and safe celebration for you and your four-legged family members.

From all of us at LA Animal Services, may your New Year be filled with soft purrs and puppy kisses!

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. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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