Did you know? More dogs and cats run away during 4th of July celebrations than any other time of the year. In fact, July 3rd through July 7th is when shelters are flooded with pets that are running scared from the sound of fireworks.
Don’t let your pet be a statistic. Below are some helpful tips and reminders. Please share this information with family, friends and neighbors.
- Make sure your pets have identification tags with up-to-date information. You can quickly get one from any local pet store.
- Take a current photo of all of your cats, dogs—just in case they get lost.
- Make sure home is safe and secure. If your neighbors set off fireworks at an unexpected time, is your yard secure enough to keep your pet contained? For the next few days, do not leave your pets outside unattended.
- Future reminder: talk with your veterinarian about microchipping. This can greatly improve your chances of getting your pets back if they become lost.
Safety during July 4 celebrations:
Leave your pets at home when you go to parties, fireworks displays, parades and other gatherings. Loud fireworks, unfamiliar places and crowds can all be very frightening to pets, and there’s great risk of pets becoming spooked and running away.
- Consider putting your pets in a safe, escape-proof room or crate during parties and fireworks.
- After dark, play music or turn on the TV to help down out the sound of the fireworks.
- If you’re hosting guests, ask them to help keep an eye on your pets to make sure they don’t escape. Placing notes on exit doors and gates can help your guests who may not be used to keeping a pet secure.
- Keep your pets inside if you or your neighbors are setting off fireworks.
- Don’t let pets get near your barbecue grill while it is in use or still hot.
- Don’t feed your pets table scraps or people food.
We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday, please look after your pets so they remain safe!
By Rick Rockhill
