While the 4th of July can mean fun, food, friends and fireworks for people, for our pets, it can feel more like a scary alien invasion! 🙀
From the HAHS,
⚠️ More pets are lost on the 4th of July than any other day of the year: according to the ASPCA, nearly one-in-five lost pets go missing after being scared by fireworks. In fact, July 5th is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters, which fill up quickly with animals who panic and flee the bright lights and loud noises of holiday celebrations.
Make July 4th a more pet-riotic holiday by following these steps for a stress-free day for both you and your fur kids!
1️⃣ Be prepared.
🐾 Ensure your pets are wearing their collars with ID tags and contact information.
🐾If your pet is microchipped, double check that your pet’s microchip is registered and contains the correct name and your current phone number and address, otherwise there’s no easy way to reach you if they’re found! If your pet is chipped but not registered, you can register for free here: my24pet.com
🐾 Take your pet for a nice, long, enriching walk/play in the morning/afternoon.
🐾 Give your pet any needed anxiety medications at least 2 hours prior to the start of the festivities.
2️⃣ Head indoors before the fun begins.
🐾 It’s best to bring your pets indoors well ahead of the first boom of fireworks. Keep your pet indoors during festivities and create a safe, escape-proof space in your home for them. Lower the blinds, close the windows, provide a bed or crate where they feel comfortable, offer a special chew or toy to distract them and turn on the TV or radio to help mask the noises outside.
🐾 Do not leave your pets outside unattended. Even if your yard is fenced, ensure they are on a leash with a tight fitting collar and harness to prevent them from getting loose if spooked.
3️⃣ Clean Up.
🐾 Fireworks contain several types of chemicals and heavy metals. Make sure you thoroughly clean up the area where fireworks were used before letting your pet outside.
📢 If your pet gets loose, check with your local shelters and check back frequently as it can take time before a pet is brought to a shelter !!!
