[ PET OHANA ]
COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN HUMANE SOCIETY
David Yoshida was reunited with Chewee after four years on Dec. 10.
Tips to keep pets safe
and sane for the holidays
The next couple weeks are probably the most hectic time of year for families. Your regular routine has likely expanded to include holiday parties, shopping, special programs, vacation days and family gatherings with lots of savory food.
Companion animals crave a predictable schedule, so they're probably a bit anxious wondering what's next. Your pets will likely experience extremes like lonely hours while you're away shopping, followed by lots of overly attentive visitors during a gathering.
"A wonderful gift for your pet is simply to even out these extremes during the holidays," says Hawaiian Humane Society President Pamela Burns. "If you regularly go to the dog park on the weekends, try to maintain that schedule for your dog's sake. Keep your pet's diet consistent, and avoid feeding him leftovers or extra treats. A healthy diet and exercise will help your pet feel more comfortable when other activities get a little crazy."
COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN HUMANE SOCIETY
Life on his own left the Llasa Apso with a heavily matted coat. His first trip was to the groomers.
The most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to provide them with identification. It's especially important at this time of year. Holiday parties and fireworks can scare pets, perhaps causing them to slip out the door unnoticed and become disoriented and lost. With a simple ID, your pets can tell others that they do have a home, are lost and need help getting back safely. If you don't have a tag, just write your phone number on your pet's collar using permanent marker.
"The longest-lasting ID is a microchip from your veterinarian," said Burns. "Though most lost pets are reunited with their families in a few days, recently we reunited two lost dogs with their owners, one after four years missing and one after five years! They were amazing and wonderful reunions."
COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN HUMANE SOCIETY
Though Mooshu was missing for five years, the Adaniya family was reunited with him on Nov. 28. Both Chewee and Mooshu had microchip IDs.
Happy reunion 1: Natasha Adaniya lost her Pomeranian mix dog Mooshu five years ago. On Nov. 28, Mooshu was found and brought to the humane society. A scan of his microchip revealed an old phone number, but the person at that number knew how to contact Adaniya, who was thrilled by the news. The entire family arrived at the shelter to pick up the happy dog.
Happy reunion 2: David Yoshida's Lhasa apso Chewee ran away from his Waipahu home in December 1999 when the dog was scared by fireworks. Chewee was 5 at that time and had a microchip.
Although the Yoshidas have moved since then, their phone number remained the same. When Chewee was found four years later, on Dec. 10, the humane society scanned his microchip and called the number. David couldn't believe it! He speculated that Chewee was probably hit by a car years ago in the busy neighborhood. Chewee desperately needed grooming but looked fairly healthy. Now 9, Chewee joined a new buddy at home, a Shih Tzu-Chihuahua named Smokey.
There are about 100,000 cats, dogs and other pets on Oahu who already have microchip IDs, but for some the contact information might be out of date.
"Our staff is so disappointed when a pet owner's information for a lost animal's microchip ID is no longer current," said Burns. "They know the pet has an owner who is missing their pet, but we have no way to contact them."
Make it a New Year resolution to update your address and phone in the microchip database at the humane society. A phone call during business hours is usually all it takes: 946-2187, ext. 0. There is no charge to list your information.
To update your dog license information or to get a new dog license, go to any satellite city hall or the humane society.
Follow through on the tips above, and you might receive the greatest gift of all some day.
"Pet Ohana" runs the first and third Fridays of the month. The Hawaiian Humane Society is a nonprofit agency dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals. They are at 2700 Waialae Ave. Call 946-2187.
More pet pointers
The flashes and explosions of New Year's fireworks frighten animals, causing them to run away where they can be lost or hurt. The Hawaiian Humane Society recommends these guidelines for pet owners:
>> Keep pets indoors in a quiet room with the windows closed. Leave a light on and tune the radio to relaxing music. If pets are generally kept outside, bring them into the garage or onto an enclosed lanai.The Hawaiian Humane Society is the official lost and found service for animals on Oahu. If you find a stray animal of any kind, call the society at 946-2187, ext. 285, or bring the animal to the shelter. The Incoming Animals desk is open 24 hours daily (including holidays) to receive lost pets. If you lose a companion animal, call the same number to report a lost pet, or stop into the shelter during visiting hours to look for your pet. Bring a recent pet photo to include with the lost report. Check the Lost & Found section at www.hawaiianhumane.org to download a lost-animal report form.>> Make sure pets are wearing identification. This ID will help ensure their return to you if they become lost. Keep photographs of all pets in case they are ever lost. The photos will help speed identification.
>> During fireworks, stay with your pets if possible, to comfort and reassure them. This is especially important if your animals are excitable.
>> Human tranquilizers are very dangerous for animals so do not give them to your pets. If you don't already have sedatives prescribed by your veterinarian, stay with your pets and make them feel safe.
Visiting hours are noon to 8 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends, Dec. 24, Dec. 26, Dec. 31 and Jan. 2. The shelter will be open on Christmas and New Year's days only for emergency rescues and intake of found animals.
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