Holiday Safety Tips for Your Pet

The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with family and loved ones, but it can be a stressful and dangerous time for your family pet. Now that the holidays are upon us, the SPCA would like to offer the following tips to help keep your pet safe. Don’t spoil the holiday season with an unnecessary medical emergency.

  • Hang breakables, tinsel, and other tempting decorations well out of paw’s reach. Tinsel, ribbon, and ornaments are especially dangerous to pets if chewed and swallowed.
  • Place holiday plants out of pet’s reach. Some seasonal plants can be poisonous, including mistletoe, holly berries, and poinsettias.
  • Watch out for electrical cords. Pets, especially puppies, often try to chew them and may get badly burned, shocked or electrocuted. Make sure your strands of lights, loose wires, and extension cords are out of reach.
  • Metal ornament hooks can get caught in curious mouths. Make sure ornaments are securely attached, and that no unused hooks are left around the house.
  • A Christmas tree should stand on a flat, wide base. Cats often see trees as excellent climbing posts, so be sure they are secured and not easily tipped over. Whether your tree is live or artificial, both kinds of needles are indigestible.
  • Cover your tree stand tightly with skirting. The water from the tree base can cause mouth sores, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
  • Refrain from using edible ornaments on your tree. They can pose an irresistible temptation for some pets.
  • Keep your pets away from holiday treats, especially chocolate. Theobromine and caffeine, active ingredients found in chocolate, are toxins and can be fatal to some animals.
  • Pets and candles just don’t mix. Keep Menorahs and scented candles out of reach.
  • If you plan to entertain, provide a “safe haven” to which your pets can retreat when they get overly excited and there is a possibility of escape.
  • If you are going away for the holidays: make sure pet enclosures are secure, your pets are wearing proper identification, and arrangements have been made for their care.

Featured dog- Missy

 

Missy is 6 1/2 years old, housebroken, and spayed.  She is doggie door trained and is microchipped. Missy loves to be with people and is playing with toys. She does well on a leash and wants to go for her walks.  She enjoys the sun and smells of the yard!

Missy has Pannus; which is a condition affecting the cornea and third eyelid of a dog’s eye(s).  Pannus typically requires lifelong treatment, Missy is currently receiving eye drops twice a day.

 No other dogs available at this time.

 Featured cat- Tinsel

 Tinsel was found as a stray.  He is very friendly and loves attention. He gets along with the other cats and kittens. He comes when called even though he was just given a new name. Pretty orange and white tabby male about 2 years old.

Other available cat

Paris- Special diet.

The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter located at 795 Hardy Way is open for adoptions from 8:00 am until 4 pm Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), Saturday 11am-1pm , Sunday 1pm -3pm. Please call – Animal Control may be reached by phone or voicemail at 702-346-5268 

All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to leaving shelter and receive 1 year rabies vaccination and city license. Ages are approximate.

The animals submitted to the media may have changed so please visit our Petfinder website for a current listing and more detailed information on the animals. www.mesquiteanimalshelter.petfinder.com

Please also check our Facebook pages for lost and found animals along with pet information. https://www.facebook.com/MesquiteNVAnimalControl  and https://www.facebook.com/FRIENDSOFMESQUITENVANIMALSHELTER

 

Shelter will be closed to the  public December 24 and December 25.