We are officially in the midst of the holiday season and that means presents, decorations, giving to charity, visits from family and friends and food, food and more food. All of these things are fun and exciting for humans, but take a moment to consider how this frenzy can impact your furry friend.
Decorations
While those videos of cats pouncing on Christmas trees are hilarious, pets pose a very real danger when left alone with decorations, both to your safety and their own. Never leave your pet unattended with a lit Christmas tree. If possible, close off the Christmas tree area from your pets when you aren’t in the room. Read more information on the danger of tinsel and other decorations are to your pet.
Food
The holidays are full of delicious food, sweets and drinks for humans, but many of these treats are toxic for your pet. Although many foods are perfectly safe to feed your pet after your holiday meal, others pose a danger. Consult this handy list of safe and unsafe pet foods. Make sure your guests are aware of the house rules when it comes to feeding your pets.
Be sure to put food out of reach of your pet so they don’t accidentally consume anything harmful (i.e. don’t leave gift chocolate on the coffee table).
Presents
Pets as presents. This is not a recommended practice, as fitting a pet to the person is a very important part of adoption counseling. If you want to give a friend, spouse or child a pet for Christmas, considering taking them with you to the Bradshaw Animal Shelter as part of the gifting experience. Let them be an active participant to ensure the right match is made for both parties. Gifted pets are one of the top returns local shelters take after the holidays.
Guests, parties and loud noises
Many pets love the holidays because it means their owners are home more often and the house is full of additional people ready to pet them. Others consider additional bodies in the house as the cruelest form of torture. Understand the needs of your pets – be they social butterflies or quiet recluses. Place your pets in a back bedroom with food, water and blankets if they shy away from company. Be sure to check in on them frequently - taking them out to relieve themselves or get some air.
Giving Back
The Bradshaw Animal Shelter, owned and operated by the County of Sacramento, houses nearly 17,000 animals every year. They provide food, shelter, medical care, vaccinations, microchips and spay/neuter services to these precious animals. They also provide services to the owned animals of our community, such as our pet pantry for pet owners in need of assistance, low cost (or free) vaccination, microchip and spay/neuter services. We work with feral cat community partners and implement strategies to help maintain their populations responsibly.
All of these services are made possible by the overwhelming love and support received from the community, the staff and the volunteers! If you are looking for a worthwhile cause to donate to before the end of the tax season, consider Bradshaw Animal Shelter!
You can also give back to your local community by sponsoring adoptions at the shelter. Swing by and tell the adoption staff you would like to sponsor an adoption (or 10). You can choose a specific animal, or just the next one (or 10) to be adopted.
However you celebrate during the holiday season, be mindful of your pets and their safety and have a happy holiday season!
