Keep pets safe at Halloween
Fireworks that fill the night sky with dazzling explosions of colour and noise may excite us, but they terrify animals. Domestic animals like cats and dogs are reduced to fearful, shivering wrecks, while sheep have been known to spontaneously abort because of the stress.
However, there are steps that we can take to minimise their suffering. First, think about your neighbours' animals and go to an organised display rather than letting off fireworks in your own back garden.
One central display will scare fewer animals and is likely to be set away from homes and their animal inhabitants.
Keep cats and dogs indoors from the afternoon onwards and bring rabbits and guinea pigs inside as well (or at least cover their hutch with a thick blanket to muffle the noise). Finally, check that hedgehogs and other wild animals have not made a home in your bonfire before you light it.
For further advice on keeping animals safe at Halloween and on Bonfire Night, visit www.animalaid.org.uk.
Kate Fowler-Reeves
Head of campaigns,
Animal Aid,
Tonbridge
Kent
(www.animalaid.org.uk)
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Weather for Belfast
Sunday 12 February 2012
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