GUWAHATI, Nov 11 - With Diwali being a couple of days away, the Humane Society International/India has urged everyone to celebrate an animal-friendly Diwali, a press release issued here today stated.
�Every year as we celebrate, thousands of animals and birds are left frightened because of the noise of crackers. The high sound of fire-crackers hurts the ears of animals as well as birds. Since animals have a far more acute sense of hearing than ours, the noise of crackers has a terrifying effect on them. Not just sound, but the light and smoke emitted by crackers also disturbs them. Animal shelters witness a tremendous increase in the number of runaway and lost pets, who are scared, anxious, nervous, and often burnt.
�This year has been a struggle for both humans and animals alike. However, with Diwali around the corner and the mood upbeat, we urge everyone to celebrate the festival of lights as it is meant to be celebrated � with lamps and lights and not loud firecrackers. Make this festival a happy one by not bursting crackers or simply choosing sparklers,� Alokparna Sengupta, managing director HSI/ India said.
HSI India advancing some �sound� advice for the people celebrating Diwali stated that pets should be kept indoors and in a familiar room; doors and windows should be kept closed and curtains drawn to reduce the noise; people should avoid or burst crackers which emit less smoke and do not create much noise; fireworks should be kept safely in a closed box and out of reach of pets; decorations should be done with lights, lamps and diyas that are friendlier to the environment and animals by giving off less smoke and noise.
It said that people should refrain from bursting crackers near an animal shelter or zoo as noise can cause panic and fear and pollution is harmful to their health; dogs should be taken out for a walk during daytime before celebrations begin and they should never be walked where fire-crackers are being burst.
The HSI/ India said that if the pets are prone to acute anxiety or distress from loud noises, then they should be medicated with anti-anxiety or calmant drugs, if necessary (only on vet prescription); a first aid kit and a bucket of water should be kept ready for use in emergency and contact information of local municipal corporations and surrounding shelters should be kept handy and they should be approached in case of lost pets, the press release issued by Noyonika Gogoi, Assam Outreach Coordinator, Humane Society International/India said.
GUWAHATI, Nov 11 - With Diwali being a couple of days away, the Humane Society International/India has urged everyone to celebrate an animal-friendly Diwali, a press release issued here today stated.
�Every year as we celebrate, thousands of animals and birds are left frightened because of the noise of crackers. The high sound of fire-crackers hurts the ears of animals as well as birds. Since animals have a far more acute sense of hearing than ours, the noise of crackers has a terrifying effect on them. Not just sound, but the light and smoke emitted by crackers also disturbs them. Animal shelters witness a tremendous increase in the number of runaway and lost pets, who are scared, anxious, nervous, and often burnt.
�This year has been a struggle for both humans and animals alike. However, with Diwali around the corner and the mood upbeat, we urge everyone to celebrate the festival of lights as it is meant to be celebrated � with lamps and lights and not loud firecrackers. Make this festival a happy one by not bursting crackers or simply choosing sparklers,� Alokparna Sengupta, managing director HSI/ India said.
HSI India advancing some �sound� advice for the people celebrating Diwali stated that pets should be kept indoors and in a familiar room; doors and windows should be kept closed and curtains drawn to reduce the noise; people should avoid or burst crackers which emit less smoke and do not create much noise; fireworks should be kept safely in a closed box and out of reach of pets; decorations should be done with lights, lamps and diyas that are friendlier to the environment and animals by giving off less smoke and noise.
It said that people should refrain from bursting crackers near an animal shelter or zoo as noise can cause panic and fear and pollution is harmful to their health; dogs should be taken out for a walk during daytime before celebrations begin and they should never be walked where fire-crackers are being burst.
The HSI/ India said that if the pets are prone to acute anxiety or distress from loud noises, then they should be medicated with anti-anxiety or calmant drugs, if necessary (only on vet prescription); a first aid kit and a bucket of water should be kept ready for use in emergency and contact information of local municipal corporations and surrounding shelters should be kept handy and they should be approached in case of lost pets, the press release issued by Noyonika Gogoi, Assam Outreach Coordinator, Humane Society International/India said.
