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Top 10 Tips to Prevent Malicious Poisoning
Don't let your pet be the victim of a cruel act! The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center receives many calls from owners whose animals were maliciously poisoned—sometimes right in their own backyards. APCC has provided the following tips to prevent this from happening to your animal companions:
1. Be a good neighbor! Please don’t allow your pets to have access to your neighbors’ yards and trash cans. If your dog is an incessant barker and/or howls and whines while you are away, you may want to work with an animal behaviorist or dog trainer to solve the problem. Should your neighbors have concerns, try to address them in a positive, constructive manner to avoid serious conflicts.
2. Is your pet allowed outdoors in your fenced-in or otherwise secure area? It’s smart to do routine checks of this enclosed area.
3. Be sure to remove unfamiliar or questionable items from the enclosure.
4. Supervise your pets when they are outdoors whenever possible. Do not allow your pets to spend significant amounts of time unsupervised outdoors.
5. Develop relationships with neighbors who have pets. You can join forces to create a neighborhood watch for the companion animals in the area. Be alert for anything out of the ordinary!
6. Provide a safe, confined area with a secure gate when pets are left alone outdoors.
7. Never let your pet run loose or allow him to roam free. Animals who are allowed to roam simply have more opportunities to get into potentially poisonous substances.
8. Teach your pet not to accept food or treats from strangers.
9. Report any suspicious behavior to local authorities. Remember, animal cruelty is a crime!
10. If you suspect that your pet has been poisoned, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately at (888) 426-4435. For more information on substances in and around your home that could be potentially toxic to your pet, read what our experts have to say.
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