A safe and happy New Year for party animals

As you prepare for the last bash of the decade, don’t forget the festivities might not be as much fun for your four-legged friends. In fact, shelter professionals estimate more pets run away from home and get lost on New Year’s Eve than any other night of the year—except, perhaps, July 4th.

The earth-rattling, booming fireworks, buzzing party horns, loud music, constantly ringing doorbells, invasion of their homes by strangers and the unpredictable popping champagne corks terrorize dogs and cats. With their homes under siege in a barrage of unfamiliar, dramatic sights, smells and sounds, they flee houses, climb trees and dig out of yards.

The good news is owners can easily decrease the trauma and protect their pets by:

• Assuring pets keep to their normal feeding and exercise schedule. If possible, walk dogs—or allow them plenty of outdoor exercise time—during daylight hours before the chaos commences.

• Creating a secure, soft, cozy place for pets to stay during the festivities, preferably in an area inaccessible to party guests to prevent accidental release. Pets may be less likely to bolt if they have a quiet place to retreat.

• Updating information on pets’ collars. Since loud noises and open doors provide both the motive and opportunity to escape, an ID tag is de rigueur for any pet suiting up for the big soiree. Even if your pet is microchipped, having owner contact information in plain sight can speed the journey home if a good Samaritan intercepts your pet on the run.

• Keeping animal emergency vet contact information close by. As usual, prevention and vigilance is the best strategy. However, if you suspect a pet has swallowed something harmful or become injured in the midst of the revelry, contact a veterinarian immediately. Most offices close for the holiday, keep the closest animal emergency clinic’s telephone number nearby. The Baton Rouge Pet Emergency Hospital, at 1514 Cottondale Drive (925-5566), will remain open 24-hours during the holiday.

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