SPCA Reminds Angelenos of Holiday Pet Safety

By City News Service

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles reminded people to keep their dogs away from toxic plants, such as holly, mistletoe and poinsettias, and cats away from candles and other fire hazards during the holiday season.

Following are a few tips:

-- tiny decorations, including metal tinsel, can look inviting to pets but be choking and digestion hazards;

-- most human food, especially turkey, gravy and other traditional Christmas fare, is too rich for pets and could lead to pancreatitis; chocolate can be toxic to dogs, and hibiscus dangerous to both cats and dogs.

-- large parties can sometimes spook pets, so make sure they are tagged or microchipped in case they run away;

-- if throwing a party, put pets in a separate room with a favorite toy or its bed to make it comfortable and reduce the chances of it escaping; and

-- try to keep electrical cords away from pets that could chew through them and cause a fire.

Separately, spcaLA shelters are running "alarmingly low" on donated dog food and asking for help to bolster its supplies of wet and dry food, as well as cat, kitten and puppy food.

Donations can be dropped off during business hours at spcaLA's locations in Long Beach, Hawthorne and Los Angeles. Monetary donations for pet food can also be made at www.spcaLA.com.