Fourth of July Pet Safety
Monday, July 1, 2019
Like many Americans, you may be looking forward to a festive Fourth of July. There will be barbeques, parties at the beach, and of course no celebration can be complete without watching fireworks light up the night sky. While you’re putting the finishing touches on your holiday plans, please take a moment to consider how your animals will be affected. Unlike humans, pets don’t associate the noise, flashes, and smells of pyrotechnics with celebration; in fact it’s quite the opposite. Pets are often terrified of fireworks. Because of this, the American Humane Association reports that July 5 is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters nationwide due to pets panicking from fireworks and fleeing into the night; winding up lost, injured, or even killed.
There are simple steps you can take to prevent your holiday celebration from turning into a tragedy. First and foremost, keep your pets indoors, even if they are used to being outside. The resulting panic from loud noises may cause them to break their restraint or jump a fence in a terrified attempt to find safety. The safest place for your animals is inside their own home where they feel comfortable and secure.
You’ll also want to have your pets properly identified. On the chance that they do manage to break loose and become lost, without proper identification it will be much more difficult to get them back. Make sure your pets are wearing collars with proper identification and have microchip implants with up to date contact information. If you’ve adopted from Friends of Strays, your pet already has a chip from 24PetWatch. If you’ve moved or changed phone numbers since adopting, please make sure they have your current information. The safest and best bet for celebrating this Fourth of July with your pets is to exclude them from holiday festivities, at least this time around. Your pets will prefer a safe, secure spot and appreciate the quiet!
