Pet owners should create safe spaces for pets on Bonfire Night and Diwali
As fireworks season approaches, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is urging pet owners and animal keepers to start preparing now to prevent possible injury and distress to their pets and livestock in the run up to Bonfire Night (November 5), Diwali (November 12) and New Year’s Eve.
Each year, vets across the UK treat animals with firework-related injuries. By far the most commonly reported cases were self injuries caused by fireworks-related anxiety, such as tooth injuries to dogs from chewing furniture or fractures in horses that had bolted from their fields.
The debris and remnants of fireworks and paper lanterns in fields and surrounding countryside can also pose a serious risk of injury to livestock, wildlife and zoo animals.
Signs of fireworks-related distress can vary from animal to animal. While some pets show obvious signs of fireworks-related anxiety, such as panting, drooling and attempts to escape, there are also more subtle signs that owners should be aware of, including restlessness and toileting in the house.
Cats often hide, while rabbits may keep very still and thump the ground with their back feet. Poultry are especially at risk of “smother” where in a fear response birds huddle together, which can result in death for some.
Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux, British Veterinary Association Junior Vice President
Scottish Government must provide fair funding for our fire service
The Fire Brigades Union, which is threatening strike action, said cuts by the SNP Government is a “threat to the lives, homes and livelihoods of everyone in Scotland.”
Public services have been systematically underfunded by the SNP Government, which would rather squander taxpayer money on independence papers and legal battles with the UK Government rather than properly funding lifesaving services such as the fire brigade.
The SNP Government must provide fair funding for our fire service and return to the negotiating table with unions as soon as possible so that lives, homes and livelihoods of Scots are not put at risk.
Councillor Alastair Redman, Kintyre and the Islands ward
Have a clear out and recycle
This Recycle Week, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) is asking the public to have a clear out and donate their preloved toys, games and puzzles to its shops.
As we approach Christmas, we need to make sure our shops are stocked with enough toys and gifts for families and children. And we can only do this with generous donations from the public.
We’re all pretty good at separating out household recycling – and donating preloved goods for charity shops to re-use should be just as routine. In a year, the BHF saves 56,000 tonnes of goods from going to waste.
Whether it’s a book your children are now too old for, a puzzle that never made it out of the box, or a toy that needs a new home.
We welcome all quality donations at the BHF, and it couldn’t be easier to donate your things. Simply drop them into any of the BHF’s 680 shops and stores or post your items to us using our free downloadable label.
Not only will you be helping families and children have a more affordable Christmas, but you will also be helping make a difference to those living with heart and circulatory diseases, of which there are 700,000 in Scotland and 7.6 million people across the UK.
Help make a difference and give the gift that keeps on living this Christmas. For decluttering tips, or to find out more about the campaign, visit bhf.org.uk/declutter
David Roman, sustainability manager at the British Heart Foundation