WITH loud bangs expected across the province as the New Year is heralded in, pet owners are advised to keep their dogs in a secure area and to consult their vets to get tranquillisers for them.
This is the advice from the Pietermaritzburg Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
SPCA manager Alistair Sinclair said people must keep their pets locked in places where they will be safe during this period.
“They must go to their vets to get tranquillisers for their pets to ensure that they are not scared during the use of fireworks,” he said.
Sinclair also said people must show maturity and not buy fireworks that resemble “big bombs” that scare pets.
Sinclair said their offices will be open from 6 pm tonight to probably about 2 am to cater for frightened pets. “We will have people manning our offices and we will be on 24-hour stand-by,” he said.
Acting Msunduzi Municipality spokesperson Nqobile Madonda said there are “pet friendly” fireworks that are stocked by some registered fireworks dealers.
Madonda said the Msunduzi bylaws allow for fireworks to be set off from 11 pm on New Year’s Eve to 1 am on New Year’s Day.
