Protecting your pet on Bonfire Night (From News Shopper)

Protecting your pet on Bonfire Night

8:54am Tuesday 30th October 2007

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The RSPCA has issued a series of guidelines for pet owners to follow on Bonfire Night.

As well as running a campaign for stricter firework regulations to reduce animal distress, the RSPCA has also produced an animal-friendly firework code ...

Cats

• Keep your cat indoors.

• Close all windows and curtains and switch on music or the television to drown out the noise.

• Leave your cat to take refuge in a corner if it wishes. Do not try to tempt it out as this could cause more stress.

• Make sure your cat is microchipped to ensure it can be returned to you if it escapes and becomes lost.

Dogs

• Exercise your dog during the day.

• Never walk your dog while fireworks are being let off.

• Keep your dog indoors, close the curtains and play music to drown out the noise.

• Let your dog hide if it wants to take refuge under furniture or in a corner.

• Make sure your dog is wearing a collar and tag and is microchipped in case it bolts and becomes lost.

A simple plug-in diffuser that disperses a dog appeasing pheromone into the room is available at some veterinary practices.

It is a synthetic version of a chemical produced by a bitch shortly after she has given birth. The pheromone reassures newborn puppies and naturally calms them down. Scientists have discovered it also helps calm older dogs as well.

Sedatives can also be prescribed by your vet.

Small animals

Small animals - such as rabbits and guinea pigs - living outside should not be forgotten. They can also become very stressed from loud noise. Bring small animals indoors or into an outhouse or garden shed to give them extra protection.

Horses

Horses often bolt from firework noise and become injured. Always make sure horses, ponies and donkeys are stabled while fireworks are being let off. Make sure fireworks are not in view by closing the stable door.

Bonfires

Animals such as hedgehogs can be killed by crawling into bonfires to sleep. Build bonfires as late as possible to reduce this risk and make sure you disturb the foundations of the bonfire to give any wildlife a chance to escape before it is lit.

Always clear up after a fireworks party - litter is hazardous to domestic and wild animals.

Public displays

If a fireworks display is taking place in your area and you are concerned about your animals' welfare, try contacting the organiser and asking them to use low noise fireworks.

Find out if the organiser is your local authority or a private party and explain your concerns. Ask if anyone else shares your concerns and let the organiser know. In some cases, fireworks displays have been altered to reduce noise levels due to public concern for animals and wildlife.

Private displays

Tell neighbours you will be using fireworks so they have time to minimise the distress to their animals. Seek out low-noise fireworks, which are available in most good firework outlets and less likely to cause distress.

The RSPCA has conducted research into noise levels of fireworks and found designs of fireworks that create less noise. Fireworks registered under category two of the British Standards are all low noise.

REMEMBER, REMEMBER - never let off fireworks near animals.

If you see an animal in need of help call the RSPCA's cruelty and advice line on 0870 55 55 999.

More details are on the RSPCA website

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