Bark! Humbug! No Vet Visits or Missing Pets on Christmas or New Year’s Eve!

Whether it’s a new puppy or kitten that you got for Christmas, or a family pet that you’ve had for lots of New Years’, you can keep it safe this holiday season by following some simple guidelines to prevent vet visits or missing pets, courtesy of your Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS) in Encinitas.

“Lots of pets run away on Christmas day and New Year’s Eve,” says RCHS spokesman John Van Zante. “There are loud noises, guests come and go, and there are lots of opportunities for pets to do a ‘door dash.’ Pets just want to be in a safe place. If you’re lucky that’s a spare room or under the bed. But a frightened pet can easily slip out the door and run down the street. When they get out, they’re in unfamiliar surroundings. So they hide or keep running until they’re totally lost. Keep them inside. Keep them safe.”

Tips to keep your pets safe (and home) this holiday season include:

• Provide them with a crate or other safe place away from the party.
• Make sure they have pet food and water….and NO table food.
• Remind your guests NOT to feed your pets.
• NO ALCOHOL!
• Keep pets away from the tree, packages, and other holiday decorations.
• Even during the party, dogs need “potty breaks.”
• Don’t put them in the yard and forget about them.
• Watch out for “door dashing” as guests come and go.
• If you’re going out on Christmas or New Year’s Eve, leave the TV or radio on.
• Make sure your pet is micro-chipped so it can be identified if it escapes.
• Ask before taking your pet along to someone else’s house.

Families getting new puppies for Christmas should get them into a routine with consistent behavior. Van Zante says holiday activities can jeopardize the training. “Your guests will be there for a few hours, but your puppy will be with you for the next 10 to 15 years. Ignoring your puppy’s routine or allowing guests to teach it bad habits could impact the rest of its (and your) life. Keep your best friends…animal and human…safe this holiday season.”

The adoption kennels at RCHS, 389 Requeza Street in Encinitas, are open every day but Tuesday from 11 to 5, but will close at 3:00 on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve…and be closed on Christmas and New Year’s day.

For more information call RCHS at 760-753-6413 or log on to www.sdpets.org.