Overview
- Dr Sarah Page-Jones of Pet Drugs Online urged owners to stay vigilant near roads as winter evenings turn dark as early as 4 p.m.
- For dog walks, keep pets on a short, sturdy lead, position them on the inside of the pavement, and use a harness for better control.
- Equip dogs with reflective coats, collars or harnesses, and wear reflective clothing yourself to improve visibility in low light.
- For cats, avoid evening roaming where possible, fit a reflective collar if they go out at night, and schedule outdoor time for daylight hours.
- Ensure cats are microchipped as required in the UK from 20 weeks of age, with Blue Cross citing roughly 80,000 dogs and 200,000 cats killed by vehicles each year during Road Safety Week.