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

It’s that time of year!  The holidays bring family, gifts, goodies and increased hazards for your beloved pets.  Here are some things to consider to keep your pets safe over the holidays.

Beware of Decorations

Decorations look like fun to dogs and cats, who like way light reflects off shiny ornaments or tinsel, so they may try to play with these.  The problem is that broken ornaments and tinsel often end up getting eaten by playful dogs and kitties and can cause choking, internal lacerations and more.  To avoid the 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.    

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 of these can be toxic to pets though including, chocolate, artificial sweetners such as xylitol and macadamia nuts.  So don’t leave treats sitting out unattended.

FCAS Pets of the Week:  Penny Lane and Pecan

Penny Lane is a one-year-old beauty who is the darling of the adoptions office.  In fact they love her so much, that she lives in the office.  Penny is the perfect companion, is gentle and would be great with children.  She is housetrained, vaccinated, heartworm negative and microchipped. Penny's favorite thing to do is to snuggle up beside employees for a comfy nap. Come in and meet her.  You won’t be disappointed.   

Pecan is a sweet boy who has funny crossed eyes.  But don’t let his eyes fool you, he can see just fine, knows where you are at all times and loves to follow people around in our cat colony room. This three-year-old boy gets along great with the other cats and is already neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.  Why not treat yourself to a holiday present and adopt this wonderful boy? 

If you’re interested in meeting Penny Lane or Pecan, please contact Kerry at 404-613-9157 or email her at: kmoyershorton@fultonanimalservices.com.  To view dogs or cats available for adoption, please visit the shelter at 860 Marietta Blvd NW, Atlanta, 30318 or go to www.fultonanimalservices.com/adopt.

Managed by LifeLine Animal Project, Fulton County Animal Service’s mission is to provide a humane environment for Fulton County’s homeless pets while placing them into loving, permanent homes, and to end pet overpopulation by promoting spay/neuter, advocating for life-saving public policy, increasing public awareness of homeless pets and educating the community about responsible pet ownership.  To learn more, visit www.fultonanimalservices.com.