GEORGE NEWS - The Garden Route SPCA (GRSPCA) has noticed a concerning increase of missing and lost dogs over the last couple of weeks.
Although no specific reason can be pinpointed, the onus remains ultimately with owners to keep their pets safe.
With New Year celebrations approaching, pet owners are asked to be extra vigilant regarding the safety and care of their pets when fireworks are set off illegally.
According to GRSPCA senior inspector Salomé Bruyns, one possible reason for the increase in lost animals over the last three weeks, is the fact that people are away on holiday without qualified dog sitters looking after their pets.
“They ask a neighbour or a friend to look after their animals. These ‘sitters’ mostly only feed the pets and then leave again. The animals notice that the owners are not there, they get lonely and feel abandoned. Remember, animals do not understand the concept of a holiday.
"They don’t know their owners are coming back and they start to panic and run away in search of their owners,” she says.
Security is another possible reason why people leave their dogs at home while they go on holiday. “Boarding kennels are also normally fully booked in advance over the festive season, so even if people want to take their dogs to the kennels, there is usually no available space,” says Bruyns.
Fireworks and your pets
Although setting off fireworks in the George municipal area is illegal, some disregard this law. For some pets, especially dogs and cats with particularly noise-sensitive ears, the sound of fireworks can cause intense fear responses.
Some pets will go to extremes to hide, others get startled and run away, and general anxiety caused by unexpected loud sounds can have long-lasting effects on animals.
Keep your dog inside your house if fireworks are set off illegally.
According to Bruyns, the best way to keep your pets safe are to:
- Keep them inside
- Turn on music to reduce the sound of the fireworks
- Keep curtains closed
- Stay at home with them if possible
- If your dog is sound sensitive or easily overwhelmed, consult your vet beforehand for medication
- Make sure your dog/cat has a collar with a tag with your details on it
- Report the shooting of firecrackers
- Get them microchipped
Other impacts of fireworks- did you know?
- Bees become so disorientated they don’t go back to their hives.
- Birds have panic attacks at night causing mass deaths.
- Fish and other animals perish after ingesting fireworks debris.
- Companion animals have anxiety and panic attacks.
- Fireworks can also trigger Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in people.
Please report the illegal setting off of fireworks to 044 801 6350 or after hours at 044 801 6300.
Please report the illegal trade in fireworks to 044 801 6350 or after hours at 044 801 6300.
Fire emergencies: 044 801 6311.
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