Photography: Jo Moore
PONSONBY PETS
Make it a ‘pawesome’ Christmas for all End of year festivities can overlook our furry friends but here’s how to include them in the fun. Unbelievable as it may be, Christmas is just around the corner, and we’re more pleased than ever to usher in the festive season after what a year it’s been. As we start to make plans for the holidays, it’s important to keep our furry friends in mind. Here are some of SPCA’s top tips and tricks to ensure a ‘pawesome’ Christmas for the whole family – human and animal alike! Make presents for your pets There’s nothing more exciting than seeing presents start to pile up under the tree so why not include your animals in the fun? After all, what would all those days at home have looked like without their companionship. They deserve a treat of thanks! Unlike some family members, they truly don’t need money spent to make them happy, and there’s loads of DIY gifts you can make with items from around the house. See www.spca.nz/DIYtoys for some fun and easy ideas. Exercise canine chocolate caution Christmas always means a lot more chocolate around the house, often disguised as a present under the tree; our dogs’ noses know better though! Chocolate smells delicious to dogs, but it’s toxic to them and will make them extremely sick, so it’s imperative to be really careful about keeping chocolate out of their reach.
Let’s give them a better life. Your support will help SPCA care for animals year round Go to www.spca.nz/donate
Take animals off the Christmas list Pet ownership is a long-term commitment. While the idea of giving a sweet kitten or puppy as a present might be appealing and come with good intentions, unfortunately many animals gifted at Christmas end up being unwanted or unloved by people who never planned for them. Pets should always be a considered, family-wide and educated decision, taking into account lifestyle, needs of a pet, and costs, like dog registration, food, vet bills, and pet insurance. PN www.spca.nz
92 PONSONBY NEWS+ November 2020
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
