Firework regulations reduce pet trauma

STRICTER regulations on fireworks in urban areas appear to have reduced the number of dogs running away over New Year at the coast.

According to the SPCA branches at both Swakopmund and Walvis Bay fewer stray dogs ended up at their kennels after celebrations this season. The Swakopmund Municipality banned all fireworks in the town area.Walvis Bay warned the public to left off fireworks only in specified areas.Both kennel managers said it was much quieter this New Year.Petra Sada from the Swakopmund SPCA said eight stray dogs were found on New Year’s Day, of which four have been claimed by their owners.One dog was found as far away as Langstrand, while another was running in the dunes.Christel Dobson of the Walvis Bay SPCA said five stray dogs were found – much less than normal.She said this was because the town area was much quieter as there were fewer fireworks.”People are also realising they can board their pets at the SPCA when they go on holiday,” said Sada.Both kennels had an increase in boarders over the festive season.For people looking for new pets, there are plenty of cats and dogs to choose from.At Swakopmund there are ten puppies, nine adult dogs and 21 cats and kittens looking for homes.Walvis Bay has about 40 dogs and 20 cats in need of homes.According to Dobson, a litter of five kittens, approximately five weeks old, was dumped in the desert between Walvis Bay and Langstrand.”One of the kittens was spotted crossing the road,” said Dobson.A family passing by picked her up.”They thought if there was one, there could be more and later went back.They walked a distance into the desert from the road and found] the other kittens”.One of them was already dead.Two of the surviving kittens have already found homes, said Dobson.The Swakopmund Municipality banned all fireworks in the town area. Walvis Bay warned the public to left off fireworks only in specified areas. Both kennel managers said it was much quieter this New Year. Petra Sada from the Swakopmund SPCA said eight stray dogs were found on New Year’s Day, of which four have been claimed by their owners. One dog was found as far away as Langstrand, while another was running in the dunes. Christel Dobson of the Walvis Bay SPCA said five stray dogs were found – much less than normal. She said this was because the town area was much quieter as there were fewer fireworks. “People are also realising they can board their pets at the SPCA when they go on holiday,” said Sada. Both kennels had an increase in boarders over the festive season. For people looking for new pets, there are plenty of cats and dogs to choose from. At Swakopmund there are ten puppies, nine adult dogs and 21 cats and kittens looking for homes. Walvis Bay has about 40 dogs and 20 cats in need of homes. According to Dobson, a litter of five kittens, approximately five weeks old, was dumped in the desert between Walvis Bay and Langstrand. “One of the kittens was spotted crossing the road,” said Dobson. A family passing by picked her up. “They thought if there was one, there could be more and later went back. They walked a distance into the desert from the road and found] the other kittens”. One of them was already dead. Two of the surviving kittens have already found homes, said Dobson.