Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Taking Care of Pets During the 4th of July!
Information Courtesy of the Maricopa County Animal Care & Control
Take Care of Pets During Fourth of July
The Fourth of July is right around the corner. While it is a very exciting day for you and your family, another member of your family can get very frightened – your pets. The loud noises can cause your dog or cat to act differently than they normally would. Fourth of July celebrations also start well before the Fourth, so check with your city to see when they will be holding celebrations.
Do not leave your pets outside, even if you normally do. The different events that day can cause your normally calm pet to try to escape. He may try to dig under the fence or even jump over it when frightened. If you normally keep your dog tied up, he could strangle himself trying to get away.
You do not know how your pets may act, so play it safe. Keep them inside the house in a safe, secure room. Turn on a fan, the radio or even the television to drown out any unusual noises. It may be a good idea to keep them in a room without windows. Some animals can become destructive when frightened and you don’t want them trying to go through the window. If you know your pet gets anxious, consult with your vet about other options that may be available.
Do not take your pet with you to a fireworks display, not even if you are going to leave her in the car. Not only can the noise and lights unnerve her and make her try to escape, a car in summer in Arizona is too hot.
More animals are lost Fourth of July weekend than any other time of year. Be sure your dog or cat has an appropriate fitting collar and that they are wearing it. Your dog should have his dog license attached to the collar and your cat should have an id tag attached with your information on it. If your pet does get lost, visit both of MCACC’s Animal Care Centers every couple of days. Post your pet’s information around the neighborhood and online at http://www.pets911.com as well.