Fourth of July Pet Safety

The Fourth of July is coming up soon, which means FIREWORKS!!! While fireworks may be fun for us humans, our pets often struggle with the sudden loud noises that occur on Independence Day. And that’s not all. Summer heat and holiday foods can be a danger to our beloved pets if the necessary precautions aren’t taken to keep them safe.

In the worst-case scenario, your pet may become lost, fleeing your home or yard out of panic. According to national statistics, shelters see a 30-60% increase in lost pets every year between July 4th-6th. Those same statistics site that only 14% of lost pets are returned to their owners. We need to do our part to make sure this Independence Day is fun and safe for everyone, including the animals in our care. Here are a few tips to keep your pet not only safe and stress-free, but more likely to be reunited with your family if they do get lost.

Prepare In Advance:

  • Make sure your pet’s collar is well-fitted with an up-to-date identification tag. You can purchase tags from our retail store for only $5!
  • If your pet is microchipped, make sure the information is up-to-date on there as well. If your pet is not already microchipped, you can schedule an appointment with our Intake Team to have this done for $25.
  • Take a current photo of all your pets, in case they do end up running away and getting lost.
  • Talk to your vet about getting medication to help your pet during times of loud noises such as fireworks or storms.
  • Make sure your home and yard are safe and secure. Are there any holes in your fence that your dog can get through? Is your cat likely to run out the front door in a panic?
  • Consider hiring a trainer to work on desensitization. It’s too late to get them ready for this year, but you could prepare for next year.
  • Prepare enrichment to keep your pet distracted.

Fourth of July Safety:

  • Leave your pet at home if you go to parties, firework displays or a large gathering. Unfamiliar places can be stressful, and your pet is more likely to get spooked and run away.
  • Keep your pets indoors during the fireworks. This means taking them potty or for a walk earlier in the day.
  • Create a safe place for your pet to hide. This can be an escape-proof room or crate. You can provide white noise such as a television or radio to help distract them from the sounds.
  • Avoid feeding table scraps or other food intended for people. There are many common foods such as chocolate, onions, grapes and fatty/fried foods that can are either toxic, or can give our pets an upset stomach.
  • The heat itself can be dangerous to your pet. Make sure you are providing fresh water and frequent access to the indoors so they can cool off.
  • After the celebration, make sure to check your yard for fireworks debris before allowing pets outside.

Happy 4th of July to all who celebrate!

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