County Durham animal charity tells us how to keep pets safe on Christmas Day
A County Durham animal charity tells us it is important to help keep our pets safe at Christmas.
They say Christmas Day can be a stressful time for pets and urging families to be vigilant about hidden dangers - such as chocolate.
Luka Atkinson, deputy manager at the RSPCA felledge animal centre, said: "If you're having lots of people round to your own house think about setting them up a quiet area in the home.
"If they want to interact they can be in the hustle and bustle of the family life or if they want to take themselves away to have a quiet corner of the house to themselves, they've got a nice safe space that they can do that in.
"They won't know exactly what the day means or what that day is going to look like and if you're not used to having lots of people round the house, then that can be a stressful event for them.
"Strangers that they may never have met before, or maybe children that are very excitable as well.
"They'll be additional things in the house like presents, wrapping paper, ribbon that could cause additional problems."