Gift your pets a safe Diwali, says Humane Society

It is that time of the year to indulge in lights and fireworks, but does your pet enjoy Diwali as much as you do?

“Whilst Diwali celebrations can be great fun for people, pets can be left trembling, shaking, barking more and injured by fireworks. Light, noise and colour can be frightening and chaotic for animals,” says Humane Society International (India), urging people to gift their pets a safe Diwali.

Thousands of animals suffer burns every year from firecrackers and animal shelters report a dramatic increase in pets lost during the commotion of the celebration, HSI says.

“Loud fireworks displays cause noise, which can be stressful for our pets,” says N G Jayasimha, HSI (India) Managing Director. “It’s best to choose small crackers and ensure a safe Diwali for our furry friends at home and around our neighborhood.”

The HSI note further outlines measures that people can take to keep their pets secure. Keep pets indoors, and in a familiar room, it suggests. Pets have a heightened sense of hearing so the jolts and loud noises cause many animals to flee in search of safe haven, it explains.

Pet owners need to keep doors and windows closed and draw the curtains to reduce the noise. Supply pets with enough food and water and ensure someone can stay with them to comfort them.

Fireworks need to be stored in a closed box, out of reach of pets. Do not keep fireworks containers under stairs or exposed in passages, they advice.

Decorate with lights, lamps and diyas that are friendlier to the environment and animals by giving off less smoke and noise. Refrain from bursting crackers near an animal shelter or zoo. Noise can cause panic and fear, they point out.

Take dogs for a walk during the daytime before the celebrations begin. Never walk them near where others are lighting firecrackers. Ensure pets are wearing collars and identification tags with current contact information. All pets, even those kept indoors, should wear collars with identification tags at all times, they suggest.

Consult a veterinarian if pets are prone to acute anxiety or distress from loud noises. And make a first aid kit in preparation for helping injured animals. Have a bucket full of water handy for emergency and for putting used sparklers into.

If you feed stray animals around your neighborhood, make sure that they are wearing tags labeled with their names and your phone numbers. In case they run away because of the merry-making, people who find them will be able to contact you, HSI suggests.

And finally, the HSI says, it is important to keep contact information of the local municipal corporations and surrounding shelters handy and approach them immediately in cases of lost pets. If you find a lost pet, either take her to the address on the tag or a local animal shelter, the statement says.

jyothi.datta@thehindu.co.in

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