Holiday Pet Safety

As the holiday season rolls in, families are making festive plans... dinners, travel, houseguests, and (of course) unpacking the boxes of holiday decorations. As you dive into the holiday season, make sure you're keeping your pets in mind. We're here with some tips to make the holidays merrier for your furry family members. 

Travel and Guests 

Holiday routines are often anything but typical for pets. So whether it's extended time at home or other shake-ups, make sure you give your pet time to adapt - especially if they are newly-adopted.

If you're planning trips away from home, make sure your pet sitter has updated information on your pet's needs and preferences. Let them know if your pet's behavior has changed since they last cared for them. And if you're sending your dog or cat off to "pet camp" (a.k.a. boarding/daycare) make sure to share the same info with their team! 

If you're taking your pet with you, make sure to travel safely. Pets in cars should always be safely restrained with a harness or in a carrier. This not only keeps them safe, it keeps you safe from potential distractions. And if you're considering flying with your pet, check with your veterinarian; air travel can be stressful or even dangerous for some pets.

Family coming to town? As houseguests arrive, keep some space reserved for your pet to escape the hustle and bustle of visitors. And maintain their routine as best you can such as regular walks, playtime, snuggles, treats... whatever it is that gives your pet their sense of "normal" when the environment changes.

The Dangers of People Food

For many of us, one of the best parts of the holiday season is the food. But all of those rich and tasty treats can cause some serious problems for your pets! Be particularly careful with:

• Cooked Bones - they can be a very dangerous choking hazard for pets.
• Chocolate - it's all around us during the holidays, but it can be toxic to your pets. 
• Table Scraps - the rich foods we love can cause illness in our pets. Turkey, gravy, and fatty food can be hard for our pets to digest and can cause pancreatitis.
• Mind the Trash - just because it's off the table doesn't mean an adventurous pet can't find it.

Of course, those are just a few of the things to watch out for this season. Click for Winter Holiday Safety Tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Decking the Halls?

As you unbox all of those ornaments, make sure they're out of reach of any curious pets. Wires, lights, tinsel, and more common decorations can be a hazard.

If you've adopted a new pet this year, keep a close eye on anything they might be curious about. That curiosity could result in an injured pet or damages to some of those cherished family holiday decorations. Take extra caution with poisonous plants. Poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, lilies, and other plants can pose a serious health risk.

If you have a rambunctious pet, consider securing your tree so it can't be knocked down accidentally. Just a little fishing line secured to a door frame or hook on the wall can be a great safety measure. And make sure your dogs and cats don't drink the tree water - it can cause stomach upset and other issues. 

Who you Gonna Call?

It's always best to be prepared. So make sure you know what to do in a pet-related emergency. If you have concerns that your pet may have gotten into something dangerous, call your family vet or one of the numbers below. 

• ASPCA Poison Control Hotline: 888-426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661

And if your pet needs to see a vet urgently, make sure you have a list of your local emergency vets.

CHOW Time for Families in Need

Did you know HSSW has a pet food pantry? Last year, more than 40,000 lbs of pet food were distributed to families in our community. And for some families, just a little assistance with pet food can mean the difference between staying together, or having to rehome their beloved pet. Our CHOW program makes that possible.

This year, you can make the season a little brighter for pets in our community with a donation of dog or cat food for our CHOW program. Donations are accepted daily at HSSW or at ReTails Thrift Store (check out our hours and locations). 

Consider these tips when donating:

• Shop local! Stop by one of the many family-owned pet stores when you purchase and you'll not only be supporting a family in your community, you'll also support small business.
• Host a pet food drive in your neighborhood, youth group, or business. You'll make an even bigger impact for the pets in our community.
• Please donate only unopened bags of food. Bags should be within one month of use-by dates on the package.

This season, you can help our neighbors have a little something extra to be grateful for. Thank you for your generous support of pets and the people they love.

Make the Season Merry & Bright for the Animals

It's the season of giving and you can ensure the animals in our community are happy, healthy, and loved this holiday season. When you donate, you help provide essential medical care, connect pets with adoptive families, offer shelter from abuse and neglect, and reunite lost pets with their worried families. All of that - and more - is possible when you make a gift to the animals this season. 

Ways to Give

Giving Tuesday - Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday... in our eyes, they're all just pre-game for the big event: Giving Tuesday on November 28! It's the big, global day of giving for charities around the world and it's an important day for our lifesaving work with the animals. Afraid you'll forget? Don't worry! You can make your Giving Tuesday gift now and then relax through the holiday knowing you've made an impact for the animals.

Stock Monday - This year, Cyber Monday is sharing the day with an important way to support your favorite charity. Stock Monday on November 27 is your reminder to make a gift of stock before December 31 to help you maximize your tax benefits while ensuring you make an immediate impact for animals in need. Learn more about making a gift of stock.

Holiday Wish List - If you're wondering what to get for the animals on the nice list (spoiler: they're all on the nice list) head to our Wish List. From toys and treats to food and supplies, there's something for all the dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, rabbits, and guinea pigs of HSSW!

Giving Trees - You'll find them at HSSW and ReTails and they're a festive reminder to show some love to the animals. Grab a tag off the tree and take your donation to a member of our team to share your support for pets. The tree is up at ReTails and the HSSW tree will be twinkling in the lobby the week after Thanksgiving. (Pro tip: coming to the Giving Tree at HSSW is a great excuse to say hi to the animals!)

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