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Simple Steps Can Protect Your Pet
Released on Tuesday 19, May 2009
RSPCA Tasmania is urging all pet owners to have their pets microchipped in the lead up to any fireworks demonstrations. The Society said that while this was just one of several simple precautions animal owners could take to avoid the heartbreak of losing a beloved member of the family the message didn’t always seem to get through.
“Every year animals turn up at our shelter lost and terrified. People really need to put themselves in the place of their pets, and try to understand the sheer blind terror that fireworks can inspire,” the Society explained.
“Generally animals’ senses are so much more advanced than ours, and on bonfire night all they hear and see are incredibly loud bangs and blindingly bright flashes with no understanding of what it all means.”
The RSPCA said animal owners must and should take responsibility and make every effort to minimise the distress experienced by their pets by following some basic steps.
“It really is common sense. Animals not confined indoors or in stables or outbuildings may panic and run. This can lead to severe injury, even death, particularly if they run onto the road to be hit by a car or, as in one case we heard of, impale themselves on a fence.
“By making it easy for organisations like the RSPCA to identify animals through microchipping and collar tags, owners and animals can be reunited so much more quickly ... literally in hours, not days or weeks.
“Ideally owners should stay home with pets, but if that’s not possible, they should place the animal in a quiet room surrounded by their favourite toys, and possibly items holding the owner’s scent, with a radio playing quietly in the background. Some dogs benefit from a long walk earlier in the day followed by a good, hearty meal. A tired, well-fed dog is more likely to sleep during the event.”
For horses and other livestock, the Society said removing them to a safer location was best or alternatively keeping them securely stabled. Smaller animals like birds and rabbits, should be brought inside or have cages covered with a thick blanket to muffle sounds, ensuring it doesn’t inhibit access to fresh air.
“We also cannot stress enough how important it is that animals are not tethered. Panicked animals can injure or even choke themselves in an effort to get away,” the society said.
The RSPCA said that if owners were aware that their animals were extra sensitive to events like fireworks and thunderstorms and exhibited extreme stress, they should speak to their vet about medication to ease the animal’s anxiety.
For more information on caring for your pets during fireworks displays, you can find an information brochure from your local RSPCA.
Download assets/files/media-releases/Simple Steps Can Protect Your Pet.pdf.