04 January 2012
Several hundred animals were picked up by the SPCA over the festive season. The group again urges people to think of pet safety.
LIGHTING up the night sky with a magnificent display of pyrotechnics is a popular and fun way to usher in a new year; but while it may be enjoyable for us, it is hellish for our four-legged companions.
Use of fireworks affects pets
Fireworks, along with thunderstorms and owners who have gone away, are the main causes of lost or stray animals over the holidays. This is according to Jolene Delport, a supervisor in the public relations and education department of the Johannesburg Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
Over 450 animals were admitted to the Joburg SPCA between 1 December 2011 and 3 January. Of these, more than 300 were admitted to the Booysens branch and approximately 150 were taken in by the Krugersdorp branch, which has recently been amalgamated into the organisation for financial reasons.
“Our Krugersdorp branch recorded picking up 15 dogs in a three-hour period on 1 January 2012,” Delport says.
“Our Booysens SPCA inspector on duty was called out to a rescue on New Year’s Day, where a dog had managed to get stuck between precast walls from trying to escape the fireworks,” she adds. “The precast walls had to be unpacked to free the dog, but luckily there was no injury.”
Delport reports that there was a large increase in lost animals, compared to previous years. “It appeared as if people showed a complete disregard for animals with their New Year’s celebrations.”
Microchip
However, there is a strong likelihood of pets being reunited with their owners if they have been fitted with a microchip or wear a collar and tag. In 2011, more than 450 pets were reclaimed by their owners.
“We urge members of the public to have their animals microchipped,” she says. A microchip is implanted between the shoulder blades of the animal, and is permanent. The Joburg SPCA fits these chips; for more information, can contact its adoption centre on 011 681 3692.
Should your pet go missing, you should also report this to your local SPCA, animal welfare societies and veterinarians.
To raise awareness about the danger of fireworks and thunderstorms when it comes to pets, the Joburg SPCA has published a pamphlet with tips to keep your pets calm. There are various ways to prepare your pet for thunderstorms or fireworks:
Music
The best way to keep an anxious or scared pet calm, according to the leaflet, is to:
Once you ride out the first thunderstorm or fireworks display, you will get better at managing your pet’s fear and anxiety.
“We cannot prevent thunderstorms, but we can prevent the noise created by fireworks,” the pamphlet reads. “Remember, there is always the option of no or low-noise fireworks.”
For more information, contact the Joburg SPCA on 011 681 3600, fax 011 681 3660, email jhbspca@jhbspca.co.za or visit the website.
Article placed with the permission of the City of Johannesburg.