PETS SHOULD BE KEEPED AWAY FROM NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATIONS IN A SAFE MANNER.

This Christmas season, you may want to introduce a new furry friend to others, but PAWS & More Animal Shelter in Washington advises pet owners to keep the peace and keep their animals safe by holding at-home gatherings.

The holidays, according to shelter director Amber Talbot, present numerous hazards for pets, including chocolate and other hazardous items in the kitchen, as well as Christmas trees, decorations, and candles.

Allowing a pet to walk freely while friends and family arrive and exit your home during a celebration is a significant risk. "There's no reason to put them in a scenario that's going to make them feel worried or stressed," Talbot says, adding that putting your cat or dog in a cage while hosting festivities may appear "cruel," but it's actually for their and humans' benefit. When animals are stressed or nervous, they are more likely to have a negative consequence and their fear is reinforced.

So, if you know your dog isn't great with strangers, meeting new people, or being agitated by a lot of activity, don't have the animal participate in that interaction."

Whether or whether your pet gets along with strangers, keeping them in another room or kennel can prevent them from leaping onto a kitchen counter or other furniture and tasting harmful treats or liquids like alcohol or coffee, according to Talbot.

Volunteering or donating monetary donations or wish list items to PAWS & More is a great way to help an animal in need of a permanent home without having to take on a new roommate. They currently owe $4,300 in veterinary expenses due to a high number of complex veterinary problems. A donation link can be found here. here

Details: https://www.kciiradio.com/2021/12/29/safely-keep-pets-away-from-new-years-celebrations/