Keep Your Pets Safe Over the Holidays and DeKalb County Animal Services Pet of the Week

By Karen Hirsch

It’s that time of year! The holidays are filled with family, gifts and goodies for many, but they also bring increased dangers for your pets. Here are some things to consider to keep your pets safe over the holidays.

Decorations look like play things.

Dogs and cats think that decorations look like fun. They often like way light reflects off shiny ornaments or tinsel, and they may try to play with these. The problem is that broken ornaments and tinsel often end up getting eating by them and can cause choking, internal lacerations and more. To avoid these dangers, don’t use tinsel and be sure to place glass ornaments up higher on the tree. Also, teach your cats not to climb the tree (try using a spray bottle filled with water), so they won’t knock the decorations off and play with them.

Watch Out for Cords.

Is your dog or cat a chewer? Then watch them carefully around your hanging holiday lights to avoid electric shock. And be sure to use a grounded three-prong extension cord as a safety precaution.

Plants

Many plants are poisonous to cats and dogs, including any lily (lethal for cats), poinsettias, holly, pine needles and mistletoe. Minimize the danger by keeping the plants out of their reach, and keep your pets away from your Christmas tree.

Food

With extra treats sitting around there are extra opportunities for your pet to sneak a snack. Some treats can be toxic to pets though including pure chocolate, artificial sweetners and macadamia nuts. So don’t leave treats sitting out if you aren’t around.

What? You don’t have a pet to worry about over the holidays? Well LifeLine Animal Project is glad to help! We’ve got three shelters full of wonderful pets waiting for homes at LifeLine Animal Project’s Avondale shelter and our DeKalb and Fulton County Animal Services shelters. Below is an amazing pet that you can adopt today under our “Home for the Pawlidays” special for only $30!

DeKalb County Animal Services Pet of the Week: Sweep

Meet Sweep, a sweet and gentle two-year-old boy who is adorable. One look at Sweep’s picture will show you what a loving personality he has. He is also a very calm dog who is good with small children and great on a leash. Sweep is the kind of dog who would let kids dress him up, play politely with another dog in the household and let you know that you’re the best thing in his world! This loyal guy enjoys hugs, cuddles, kisses and going for walks. And if you adopt Sweep during December, his adoption fee will be only $30, including his neuter, vaccines and microchip! Come meet Sweep today by dropping by the shelter, emailing adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com, or calling (404) 294-2165. To view other great animals available for adoption, visitwww.dekalbanimalservices.com.