Make Pet Safety a Part of Holiday Festivities

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 02:24 PM

Tis’ the season for celebrations, but the Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) wants you to know holiday fun can easily turn dangerous for your pets. With a few easy steps, everyone in our community can keep our pets safe, ensuring a happy holiday season for all!

Some safety tips include:

• Shy away from displays of real holly, live mistletoe, Lilies, Poinsettias, Azaleas, and Potpourri. While they may be beautiful, these plants can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and even cardiovascular problems if your pet takes a taste. Opt instead for just-as-jolly, but much safer, artificial arrangements.
• Christmas tree needles can be hazardous, as well as the water under your tree, which may contain fertilizers that can cause upset stomachs in your pets. Keep Fido and Fluffy clear of tree water that could cause nausea or diarrhea if he or she takes a sip.
• Keep wiring for holiday lights, along with candles, flames, ornaments, electrical cords, tinsel, ribbon, wrapping paper, and artificial snow out-of-reach for your curious pets.
• Human food including bones, rich and fatty foods, eggnog, chocolate, uncooked meat, uncooked dough and alcohol can cause severe stomach problems for your pet, and sometimes can be fatal.
• Medicines (such as acetaminophen, aspirin, Naproxen, Alka Seltzer, and other cold and flu medicines), vitamins and herbal supplements, and the medicines of visiting relatives should be kept well out of reach from your furry loved ones.

During our cold winter months, please ensure your pet has enough shelter and a warm place to sleep. Ideally, your pet should stay inside during chilly winter days and nights. Also, all pets should have a well fitting collar with an I.D. tag that has current information on it, and an identification microchip. This will help ensure their return should they escape or become lost during festivities or out of town travel.  Low cost tags and microchips are both available at HSSA with no appointment necessary.

If your family is looking for a furry friend this holiday season, please look for your newest addition at the shelter’s main campus at 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd, or at the adoption center at Park Place Mall. There you will find loving pets in all shapes and sizes, breeds and colors, and the dedicated and experienced staff at HSSA will help you find the best friend who is best for you. The Humane Society of Southern Arizona advises against giving pets as holiday gifts; however, purchasing a gift certificate is a great gift and allows your family member or friend to pick out the best pet for his or her household. Gift Certificates are also available in different amounts to cover the cost of anything from adopting a pet, to training classes, to medical care like vaccinations or low cost spay and neutering surgeries, and even to buy toys at our gift shop.  For more information and hours of operation, please call 327-6088 or visit www.hssaz.org.  (We are closed Christmas Day Dec. 25th)