It’s beginning to look a lot like a holiday season! With Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and other holidays in the winter months, pet owners need to make sure they are keeping an eye out for their pets. Send out press releases to your local media members reminding your local citizens to closely monitor their pets around seasonal decorations and other holiday hazards.

Talk with your favorite veterinarian to obtain a few quotes on holiday hazards to use in your press release. Your vet has the background in treating sick animals each holiday season, and would probably like to avoid a repeat this year! By working with your rescue group, the vet will help get the message out to the local citizens and raise awareness of their own services in the area. These helpful hints can be shown numerous times on air as well as a handy list to clip out of a newspaper. Provide local numbers to 24 hour vet clinics, your favorite vet’s office number, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (which may charge a fee).

Use this press release template to create a professional looking product. Along with the dangers associated with cold weather, there are specific holiday problem areas where pet owners should take note. Here are just a few hazards to remind people about:

Holiday Decorations:
Small batteries, tinsel or tufts of garlands, ribbons and tags for presents can get lodged in throats, treated Christmas tree water, electric cords for lights, liquid potpourri and their burners, lit menorah or advent candles, mistletoe, poinsettia, holly (use fake plants instead, and keep them out of reach of pets). Keep a watchful eye on decorations, and move problematic ones out of reach of pets. These special decorations are all new things for pets to explore during this time of year. Remind people to keep a close eye on these items around their pets and to plan their decorations accordingly.

Foods:
Bread dough left to rise (can rise in the animals’ stomachs), chocolate, onions, alcoholic beverages left unattended, bones, fatty foods, especially turkey skin. These food items can upset stomachs or cause serious harm to your pets. Even if your pet has had some fatty or rich foods in the past, the holidays are not a time to indulge them since it may cause the animal to be sick. Provide plenty of your pets’ favorite treats so they will not be enticed to try yours. Keep dinning table chairs pushed in and food safe from the edges of the counter where curious pets could easily reach them.

Personal Safety:
There’s no place like home for the holidays! Make sure your pet is safe during the potential chaos of visiting family and friends. More doors will be opened during this time, and loud noises or unfamiliar faces may spook pets. Be sure your animals have current tags on their collars to facilitate an easy return to you if they go missing.

These little tips will help ensure that all pets in your community can stay safe during the holiday season. Happy Howlidays!