LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Decking the halls in festive cheer for Christmas is a must for many families this time of year but pet owners may encounter challenges when it comes to putting up a Christmas tree and other fragile decorations. 

This month in our Joey's Community Mews segment, our friends at Little Rock Animal Village have advice for making sure our four-legged friends don't get the Christmas blues.

• Secure the Christmas tree to prevent it from being knocked over
• Re-think tinsel as a garland, because kitties may think it is an edible toy
• Pets should only eat pet food
• Watch where you place mistletoe and holly; both can make pets sick if eaten
• Don't leave lit candles unattended
• Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach
• Keep medication locked up
• Cocktails can be fatal to pets
• If you party is large, your pets might need a room of their own to relax
• New Year's noise can be very frightening to our furry friends
• If you have house guests, make sure they know these tips

And if you would like to adopt a new friend for Christmas at the LRAV, kennel hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Sundays and Mondays).  If you know the name or ID of a specific animal, staff can assist you at 8 a.m. LRAV is located at 4500 Kramer Street, off University Street.