Celebrate the Holidays Safely and Merrily With Your Pets

As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us are looking forward to spending time with our loved ones, sharing delicious meals and reflecting on the things for which we are grateful. It’s a time of joy and togetherness, and that includes our family pets as well. However, it’s essential to ensure your pets are safe and comfortable during the holiday festivities. Here are valuable Thanksgiving pet safety tips to keep in mind as well as information about upcoming pet events to help you celebrate the season responsibly.

Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Humane Society

Holiday Pet Safety Tips

• Keep food out of reach: Holiday dinners can be filled with delectable dishes that are harmful to pets. Fatty foods and certain seasonings can pose a danger to your furry friends. Foods like chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins and nuts are toxic to pets. Be cautious when cooking or setting the table, make sure these items are securely stored away and inform your guests not to feed pets any table scraps.
• Watch out for food wrappings: The aroma of Thanksgiving dinner might be too tempting for your pets, and they may attempt to get to the food by chewing through plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Dispose of these materials properly, as ingesting them can lead to digestive issues.
• No bones about it: While a turkey bone might seem like a treat for your dog, it can splinter and cause choking or damage to their digestive system. Instead, provide them with pet-safe treats or toys.
• Secure trash bins: The trash can be a treasure trove for pets looking for leftovers. Make sure your trash bins have secure lids to prevent your pets from digging in and potentially ingesting something harmful.
• Provide a safe retreat: The hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving gatherings can be overwhelming for some pets. Create a quiet, comfortable space indoors where they can retreat if they need a break. Leave a radio or television on at normal volume to provide your pet with familiar and comforting sounds if you leave your home to enjoy the festivities. If you can’t keep your pet indoors, consider keeping them in an enclosed garage. Animals may panic and escape a yard, even if fenced.
• Decorate with care: Thanksgiving decorations can be attractive to pets, but some can be hazardous if ingested. Avoid using decorations like tinsel, small ornaments or candles within reach of your pets.
• Keep up with proper identification and microchips: Ensure your pets have proper identification. Pets are required to be microchipped by state law, and a collar with a tag (or even an Apple ID tag) noting your current phone number is highly recommended. For pets that are already microchipped, make sure your current contact information is registered with the manufacturer of your pet’s chip or a free database like foundanimals.org. Call your veterinarian or schedule an appointment to microchip your pet at the Hawaiian Humane Society.
• Educate guests: If you have guests coming over, be your pet’s best advocate and share their needs and any house rules related to feeding or interacting with your furry friends.

SEE ALSO: Can’t-Miss Local Holiday Shopping Markets on O‘ahu

Upcoming Holiday Pet Events

As the holiday season approaches, there are several pet-related events and activities to look forward to, allowing you to spend quality time with your pets and other animal lovers while making cherished memories. Save the date and join us for:

Microchip Madness

Entire month of December

Each December, Hawaiian Humane partners with private veterinary clinics to offer low-cost microchipping all month long. Not only is microchipping your dogs and cats required by state law, it’s also the fastest way to be reunited with your pet if they get lost. Hawaiian Humane sees an influx of lost pets entering the shelter around New Year’s due to firework activity in the community, so this is a great proactive way to ensure your pet’s safety. In 2022, this collaborative initiative provided microchips to 1,500 pets in our community.

$10 per pet at the Hawaiian Humane Society and participating veterinary clinics, hawaiianhumane.org, @hawaiianhumane

Pop-Up Adoption Event at Aloha Home Market

Sunday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To make pet adoption that much more accessible, our adoptions team is going on the road for a pop-up adoption event at Aloha Home Market in Kailua. This fun holiday-themed event gives Windward side residents the opportunity to meet and even adopt dogs on-site.

Aloha Home Market, 340 Uluniu St., Kailua, alohahomemarket.com, @alohahomemarket

Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Humane Society

Santa Paws

Saturday, Dec. 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a festive event for the whole ‘ohana—including your furry family members, of course. Our annual tradition of hosting a pop-up pet-friendly photo session with Santa for you and your pets returns to Neiman Marcus in Ala Moana. Proceeds raised at the event will go towards Hawaiian Humane’s 30+ critical community-driven programs and services for O‘ahu’s pets and their people.

$25, Neiman Marcus, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Level 1, hawaiianhumane.org, @hawaiianhumane

Photos: Courtesy of Hawaiian Humane Society

Deck the Howls – Readers of the Pack

Monday, Dec. 18, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Hawaiian Humane Society Mō‘ili‘ili Campus (2700 Wai‘alae Avenue)

Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Hawaiian Humane Society Kosasa Family Campus at Ho‘opili (91-1945 Fort Weaver Road, ‘Ewa Beach)

This annual tradition invites students grades 1–5 to read their favorite holiday stories to shelter animals waiting for adoption and enjoy fun, holiday-themed activities and treats. This family-friendly event is a great way to promote youth literacy and the mutual benefits of the human-animal bond while providing enrichment to pets in need.

REGISTER: MŌ‘ILI‘ILI

REGISTER: KOSASA

Free, advance registration required, hawaiianhumane.org, @hawaiianhumane

Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude and joy, and by following these pet safety tips, you can ensure your furry family members have a safe and enjoyable holiday. Additionally, consider participating in upcoming pet events to celebrate the season with your pets and fellow animal lovers. With proper care and attention, your pets can be an integral part of your Thanksgiving celebrations, making them even more memorable and meaningful.

Anna Neubauer is the President and CEO of the Hawaiian Humane Society, leading a dedicated team of more than 100 staff and 900 volunteers in caring for O‘ahu’s animals in need. Anna has brought the Socially Conscious Animal Community framework to Hawai‘i, elevating the community’s understanding of its role in animal welfare outcomes. She has also instituted policy changes and operational advances that have resulted in a 70% drop in the euthanasia of local animals since her arrival at Hawaiian Humane in October 2019.