AUSTIN (KXAN)– As Austinites ring in the New Year and enjoy fireworks shows lighting up the sky, Austin Pets Alive! is reminding pet owners how to make that experience safe for all pets.
The New Year is just hours away, and preparations for those celebrations have already begun. Whether your plans involve food, drinks, music or a fireworks spectacular, Austin Pets Alive! staff said pets may not be as prepared for these events as you are.
The loudness that comes with the holiday can cause pets — and even some people — to feel anxious or afraid, APA!’s Community Affairs Officer Suzie Chase said.
“I mean, it’s even scary for some humans. So of course, can be scary to those doggies,” she said.
During these celebrations, most pets tend to run away. So, what can pet owners do to help prepare their pets for tonight’s celebrations?
How to prepare
There are a few things you can still do to prepare for tonight’s loud activities. First, place a collar on your pet that has an ID tag on it. Make sure the ID tag has the pet’s name along with the owner’s name, number and home address. This will make sure your pet can be easily returned if lost.
Owners are advised to ensure their pet is microchipped and registered. There are free registries online, and registration can be done ahead of the New Year.
“Additionally, you want to make sure that you care for your pet ahead of time by putting a thunder shirt on them or making sure that you’ve got, you know, background noise so that they’re not freaked out when they hear the sounds,” Chase said.
Make sure your pet has all it needs to feel safe. This can be done by taking your pets out before it gets dark and the fireworks shows begin. Chase said owners can place pets in a safe space, like a crate or locked in a room with calming noise such as music or even sounds from a white noise machine.
Make sure any trash, food, or alcohol is out of reach from your pets to avoid them from getting into anything that can be toxic and keep them safe, APA! added.
What to do if your pet runs away
Begin by taking a walk around your neighborhood, APA! stressed.
“If someone loses their pet, they should go and walk around the neighborhood. Most of the animals that take off are found within a one-mile radius of their home,” Chase said.
Another useful resource is the Austin 311 app, where you can register your pet as being lost. You can download that app here. Make sure to alert your neighbors and share any photos or videos of your pet on social media neighborhood groups like Facebook or NextDoor.
What to do if you find a pet
Not only should you keep a close eye on your pets during this holiday, but also keep an eye out for your neighbor’s pets.
“This is going to happen just as many times as someone loses a pet,” Chase said.
If you find a pet and don’t see an ID tag on it or recognize it, visit those neighborhood apps or scroll through the Austin 311 app to see if you can find a photo match.
“Walk the pet around, if you can keep that animal with you for a few days, it’s more likely to get reunited with its owner,” Chase said.
Helping adoptable pets feel safe during holidays
If you are not a pet owner, there are ways to help adoptable pets feel safe during holidays like New Year’s Eve or the Fourth of July. APA! encouraged residents to participate in fostering during these kinds of holidays when pets feel most anxious.
“We need fosters for animals, people can just take an animal on a sleepover. Just getting it out of the shelter for a couple of days can help it to decompress, it is typically always loud in the shelter,” Chase said.
APA! helps provide fosterers with all the tools they need for that “sleepover.” For more details on how to make sure your pet is prepared for New Year celebrations or how to foster a pup today, visit their website.
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