While fireworks displays are exciting and highly entertaining to most people, they can be harmful – and even deadly – to our pets. The huge bursts of colorful light and deafening noise can cause dogs and cats to panic in fear and run away from their homes.
According to Pet Amber Alert, more pets go missing around the Fourth of July than any other time of year, and noisy fireworks are to blame. In fact, the country sees a 30-60% increase in lost pets each year between July 4th and 6th. These national statistics reflect what we experience at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Last year, the shelter took in 37 strays (23 dogs and 14 cats) on July 5th. The following day we took in another dozen strays and on July 7, we took in 17 more lost pets.
Unfortunately, only 15 percent of these lost pets were reunited with their owners. Most were never claimed and had to wait weeks or months at the shelter before finding new homes.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. If pet owners follow these simple tips, they can avoid losing their pets during this week’s noisy Independence Day celebrations:
- Keep ‘em inside. Keep your pets indoors and stay with them during the outside festivities. If your pet is anxious, shut your windows, close your curtains or blinds and play soft music or turn on the television to distract them from the noisy pyrotechnics going on outside. If you take your dog out for a bathroom break, walk them out on a leash.
- Ensure your pets have ID tags and are microchipped. Prepare ahead by getting your pet microchipped and make sure your contact information is on their collar in case they run away.
- Provide your pets with anxiety reduction tools. If your pet is especially sensitive to loud noises, talk to your vet about prescribing them anti-anxiety medication. Thunder shirts and over-the-counter calming treats can also reduce your pet’s nervousness and help them feel more secure. If you do not have a thunder shirt, you can improvise by putting a tight-fitting t-shirt on your dog or cat.
- Calm yourself. Your pet takes cues from your actions, so relax. It will help if you go about your normal routine as much as possible, interacting and playing with your pet as usual.
- Clear your property of fireworks debris. Fireworks contain heavy metals and chemicals that can be harmful to your pets, so clean up any rocket remains left on the ground after you’re done celebrating.
By following these tips, we hope fewer pet owners and families will face the heartbreak of losing a pet during the July 4th holiday.
Their lives are in our hands.
By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director
