Holidays not always merry for pets

Dec. 19, 2006

By MARY AMES

Frontiersman

MAT-SU - While the holidays may be jolly and bustling for people, the time from Christmas through New Year's Day is not so swell in the eyes of many pets.

People who have pets should make sure to keep the ever-present chocolate away from pets, said Dave Allison, chief of Animal Care and Protection for the Mat-Su Borough.

Besides chocolate, cats and dogs have a tendency to chow down on tinsel and gift wrapping, all things that can cause internal injuries, Allison said.

Holiday entertaining often means an animal's territory is filled with strangers and doors opening frequently. When hosting guests, people should make sure their pets feel safe, with a safe place to retreat, he said.

&#8220And make sure they are restrained,” he said. &#8220That can prevent bites from scared animals.”

New Year's in the Valley means fireworks, and people banging on pans and shooting guns to celebrate.

&#8220It's the worst, for us,” Allison said of animal control staff. &#8220We are always chasing stray animals.”

Before the noise starts, pet owners should put their critters in a safe room, and make sure they are comfortable and can't escape when noises scare them, he said.

Giving a pet as a gift is not a wise idea.

&#8220We discourage people from adopting holiday pets,” he said. &#8220Typically, they are a gift for someone else.”

Before giving a pet, people need to verify the recipient is willing to make a commitment to a lifelong companion, and is capable of caring for the animal, he said. Otherwise, the pet becomes a victim of the fate of unwanted animals: neglected, returned to the shelter or let loose, he said.

&#8220It's horrible to let it loose,” he said. &#8220If it's tattooed and microchipped, we'll go back and talk to (the owner).”

In January and February, staff members at the shelter usually see a lot of animals returned to the shelter, he said.

There are other ways to help animals have a better holiday season.

While there are no mechanisms for gift certificates at the borough's animal shelter, Allison said he has worked with people who offer to pay the cost of adoption for someone who wants a pet.

The shelter has a Kibbles for Canines program, which allows people to donate dog food for pet owners who have fallen on hard times, he said. And they can donate bones and blankets for animals at the shelter, or come visit and be a companion for an animal, he said.

&#8220People forget, if they want to share love, animals are homeless, too,” Allison said.

Contact Mary Ames at 352-2284 or mary.ames@frontiersman.com.