YOUR VIEWS: Protecting pets from new year fireworks and the benefits of state-owned energy
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Look after your pets at New Year
As the nation sees in the New Year with celebratory fireworks, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is advising owners on how to keep their pets safe during the celebrations.
Five top tips to help keep your pets calm during New Year’s Eve: Prepare a den and give them praise when they are relaxed there, so they come to view it as a safe retreat; use pheromone products next to the den and around the home; provide background noise and close curtains and windows when fireworks are expected; remain calm yourself; move small pets, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, to a quiet place indoors and provide lots of bedding to help them feel secure and mask the sounds.
New Year celebrations can be a frightening time for pets. Parties and gatherings often mean an increase in visitors and noise and a disruption. When we add in the anxiety caused by New Year’s Eve fireworks, it’s not surprising that many animals become unsettled and even distressed.
Signs of distress can vary among different animals and some pets may display quite subtle signs, including restlessness, changes to facial expression, panting, drooling, reluctance to be on their own, toileting in the house or other changes in behaviour. However, in severe cases they may become very agitated or even destructive.
If your pet is severely distressed by fireworks, a visit to your vet for some short-term treatment as well as to make plans with for a longer-term solution should be considered. A phobia of fireworks can often be effectively treated with behaviour-modification techniques, administered with professional input, and owner commitment and patience. Visit your vet to discuss treatment options and for a potential referral for behaviour therapy.
Anna Judson
BVA president
State-owned energy firm is the answer
Your article on the Red John Pumped Storage Hydro Scheme, The Inverness Courier, Tuesday, December 19, was very interesting.
However, the article failed to mention that Statkraft is a Norwegian ‘State Owned’ Green-Energy company.
The question is, why don’t we have a similar UK or Scottish ‘State Owned’ company? Westminster will never set one up and my old party, the SNP, promised but failed to deliver.
It is time the people, not least in the Highlands and Islands, benefitted from our massive energy resources and not private companies or other states.
There is no need for fuel poverty, or any other kind of poverty in wealthy Scotland.
How can we sort that?
Support the Alba Party which is serious about independence.
Dave Thompson
Former SNP MSP
Inverness
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