Humane Society officials are advising pet owners to prepare ahead for fireworks and loud noises on the Fourth of July.
“The 4th of July is a big holiday where we see an increased population in animal shelters because pets become so frightened by the fireworks and the noise they make,” according to Heritage Humane Society.
“One of the most important things to remember on the 4th of July is to keep your pets indoors so they don’t have an opportunity to run away, get hit by a car or end up in an animal shelter,” said Executive Director Kimberly Laska.
During a fireworks show, a pet might become easily frightened from the loud noises. As a result, they may be likely to dig under fences or find other means of escape. Pet owners should be aware that their pets don’t know where the loud noises are coming from and could be scared.
The Heritage Humane Society has provided a list of suggestions to help keep a pet safe:
- Keep a pet indoors during a fireworks show and shut all of the windows and doors.
- Turn on a television or relaxing music to help distract pets from the noises.
- Check that a pet’s microchip and identification tags are up to date.
- Keep a pet distracted in an interactive way with toys or treats.
Taking these extra steps could help to keep the Fourth of July a happy holiday for furry family members. For information, visit the Heritage Humane Society online.
Editor’s note: This story originally published in July 2018.
