Keep your pets safe at Guy Fawkes

Keep your pets safe at Guy Fawkes

“Guy Fawkes Night can be a terrifying time for animals,” says SPCA Auckland CEO Christine Kalin.

“The loud noises and bright flashes of fireworks can send them into a panic because their senses are much, much more sensitive than ours.

“We are supposed to wear hearing protection when exposed to anything above 85 decibels. Fireworks typically produce about 140 decibels – enough to immediately damage human hearing.

“A dog’s hearing is twice as sensitive as a human’s and a cat’s is three times as sensitive, so the bangs from fireworks can be extremely distressing for them.”

Here are 5 tips from SPCA Auckland to help keep your pets safe and calm on Guy Fawkes Night:

1. Stay home with your pet – they’ll be less stressed with someone they trust close by.

2. Keep them indoors – where they won’t see the flashes and the bangs will be muffled. Close doors and windows and draw the curtains. Turn up the volume on your radio or TV to help drown out loud bangs.

3. Put a collar and registration tag on your dog – if your dog panics and bolts, it will help rescuers reunite you. Attach a disc with your contact phone number.

4. Take special care of elderly or nervous pets – consult your vet for the best advice on keeping them calm, including sedation if necessary.

5. Move horses and farm animals away from fireworks – and make sure all fences are secure. Stable horses where possible.

If your animal goes missing, please contact your local vet clinics and register your lost pet at www.petsonthenet.co.nz.

SPCA Auckland continues to seek a ban on the sale of fireworks to the public.

ENDS

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