Avoiding Holiday Pet Hazards

BY ASHLEY GREAVES

Celebrating the new year with friends and family can be a joyous time, but more pets go missing during the holidays than at almost any other time of year. Here’s what to keep in mind this holiday season, to make sure your pets stay safe and jolly.

Charleston Animal Society and shelters across the state participated in the NBC

Universal and Hill’s Pet Nutrition sponsored “Clear the Shelters” event August 23 –

September 19.

A total of 545 animals at Charleston

Animal Society found new, loving homes.

Every adoption included a goody bag from

Hill’s with coupons and supplies, as well as a bag of Hill’s Science Diet Food.

“The timing for the Clear the Shelter event could not have been more perfect,” said

Charleston Animal Society Chief Lifesaving

Officer Pearl Sutton. “For much of the summer, shelters across the state faced a state of emergency with overcrowding and this event helped tremendously.”

Charleston Animal Society’s Clear the

Shelter participation peaked on September 18 when 126 animals were adopted in one day. Thanks to Board Members Hank and Laurel Greer, all the adoptions were sponsored! Count on 2’s Carolyn Murray (who is also a Charleston Animal Society Board Member) was at the shelter for live reports.

A line of people waiting to adopt formed outside before the doors opened and never stopped. “To say that Charleston Animal Society’s event exceeded all of my expectations would be an understatement,” said Hill’s U.S. Marketing Director Caroline Chulick.

Local businesses also stepped in to make the Clear the Shelter event at Charleston Animal Society festive. Local sponsors included: Lodi Coffee, Krispy Kreme West Ashley, East Bay Deli, PostNet Mt. Pleasant and Cupcake DownSouth.

PET SAFETY

Before the Holiday:

• Microchip your pets and make sure the information is up to date. • Make sure each pet is wearing a collar with a visible, and legible tag. • Give your pet plenty of playtime and exercise. • Because of fireworks, make sure windows and doors are secure, in case your pet gets scared. • Ask your veterinarian if your pet would benefit from behavioral medication for the holidays. • Register your pet with Petco Love Lost (lost.petcolove.org) the only facial recognition software available for pets.

During the Holiday:

• Leave your TV or Radio on at a louder than normal volume with relaxation music to help drown out some of the loud noise such as fireworks. • In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, be sure to remember your pet’s medications. • Give your pet “quiet time” in their own room or crate, to allow them to relax.

If Your Pet Goes Missing:

• File a lost report with your pet’s microchip company • File a lost report with your local animal shelter • Visit your area animal shelters to do a walkthrough. (You may need to visit more than once) • Flag your pet as missing on Petco

Love Lost (lost.petcolove.org). It’s free to sign-up, so be sure to join immediately. • Canvas your neighborhood, knocking on doors to see if anyone has seen your pet. • Hang fliers. • Post your missing pet on lost and found Facebook pages, your neighborhood Facebook page,

Nextdoor, and any other missing pet sites that you can post on.

Clear the Shelters

BY DAN KROSSE

Above right: Board members Hank and Laurel Greer surround Hill’s U.S. Marketing Director Caroline Chulick. Below: Nikki Anderson, Asa and Alana Cassell were thrilled with their new kitten, one of 545 animals adopted at Charleston Animal Society during Clear the Shelters.

545 ADOPTIONS!