Unleashed: Assuring a safe, happy New Year for your party animals

As you prepare for the last bash of 2014, don’t forget that 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, maybe, the Fourth of July.

The earth-rattling, booming fireworks, buzzing party horns, loud music, constantly ringing doorbells, invasion of their homes by strangers and 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:

Keeping pets on 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. Below are three emergency vets.
LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s Small Animal Clinic Emergency Room, 1909 Skip Bertman Drive (578-9600).
Baton Rouge Pet Emergency Hospital, 1514 Cottondale Drive (925-5566).
Sherwood South Emergency and Critical Care Center, 3803 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd. (293-7747).

Creature feature

Bentley is a 7-year-old labradoodle. Because of his family’s personal problems, he has been shuffled around since he was a pup. Although he has a little arthritis, he is otherwise in perfect health. This very sweet, smart and friendly guy would make the perfect addition to any family.

Lindsey’s big baby blues are absolutely captivating. This beautiful Siamese is a talkative girl, who wants to find a family to engage in fun and good conversation.

Leonardo is a sweet little boy loves to be held and petted. This kitten loves playing with toys—especially the kind with feathers.

Lil Bit is a 5-year-old terrier mix, who was rescued from a life of being tied to a tree with little food or water. This sweetheart is full-grown and weighs 15 pounds.

Although Jackie was picked up as a stray, her temperament suggests she was abandoned by an owner. This tabby/bobtail mix is very friendly and does well with other cats.

Buck is a large, male adult pointer. He enjoys playing with other dogs, but, he really prefers to hang out with his humans.

These pets have all been microchipped, vaccinated, spayed/neutered and FeLeuk/FIV tested. Many other adoptable cats, kittens, puppies and dogs are available at the Northside Humane Society or call 964-6992.