25 October 2005

Fireworks season-remember your pets

With fireworks "season" upon us, the Council would like to remind pet owners to please bring their pets indoors on Saturday 5th November - Guy Fawkes Night.

Keep animals inside, close the curtains and turn on the TV or radio to provide some distraction. A quiet place may provide your pet with a sense of security and comfort. If your animals do become lost please contact your local Animal Welfare Refuge and SPCA.

Please ensure your animal is properly controlled and/or confined. Failure to do so may put your pet's welfare at risk and you may be committing an offence should your animal get loose.

If you must be outside with your pet, keep it on a leash or in a carrier at all times.

Keep pets away from matches, open fires, and fireworks - especially ones that are lighted on the ground. Pets may try to sniff (or eat) fireworks and pet hair can easily catch fire if too close to the fireworks.

Ensure your pet has proper identification and current registration tags with current information, in case he/she gets away. This will help the local authorities (who are quite busy this time of year handling frightened runaways) return your pet as soon as possible.

In particular, those residents surrounding the Waitakere Stadium are asked to take care, as the Waitakere Lions Luncheon Clubs are holding the biggest fireworks display Waitakere has seen for several years at the stadium.

Gates are open from 5pm, with the fireworks at 8.25pm.There will also be other activities starting at 6pm such as displays by Police Dogs, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and an attempt at Waitakere's first sub 4-minute mile by the New Zealand Athletics Association.

This alcohol-free family event is proudly sponsored by The Trusts and the Waitakere City Council, who welcome all residents to come, bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the fun.

Tickets are available at Trust outlets throughout the city, and the Waitakere City Council Civic Centre. Tickets cost $15 (Adult & 1 child), $5 (Student 15 - 18 years), $2 (Children under 15), $25 (Family: 2 adult & 2 children). Group concession bookings are available - please contact Colin on 838 0616 or email at guyfawkes@xtra.co.nz.

ENDS

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