Fireworks & Pets don't mix!
HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG (OR CAT) SAFE DURING THE HOLIDAY
The 4th of July is a day to celebrate our country’s independence. It means family picnics, parties, parades, and of course fireworks. To animal shelters across the country, it means a higher number of pets coming through their doors, overloading already-crowded shelters. The first week in July, and first week in January (New Year’s Eve fireworks), are the two busiest times of the year for the volunteers at Lost Dogs Georgia
With that in mind, it's a good time to remind everyone that fireworks and pets simply don't mix. The bright lights and loud noises can be terrifying for our pets. For them, deafening noises randomly occurring without warning must be like being in a war zone. And not knowing when or where the next explosion will occur, or understanding what the noise is, is extremely stressful for pets, as well as their owners. In addition, a dog’s hearing is roughly four times better than ours. They hear frequencies we’re unable to hear. Sounds that are acceptable to us may be painful to a dog’s sensitive ears.
Panicked dogs have been known to jump through glass windows, push through screens, bolt away from their owners while walking, jump out of moving car windows, and escape from previously-secure yards during fireworks. Even if your dog has never been bothered by them in the past, he may respond differently as he gets older.
While the Fourth of July is a day set to celebrate our country’s independence, it means something additional for shelters and lost pet sites. For shelters, it means a higher number of pets coming through their doors, overloading already-crowded shelters. For lost pet sites, it means a drastic increase in the number of lost pets listed on our sites and a rush to help these owners recover their missing pets.
Below is our list of tips to help keep your pet safe from the dangers of fireworks. Many of these tips will also help with pets that are reactive to thunderstorms.
Our volunteers will be notified and you will be able to download flyers to print or share online. This is a completely free service.
For our comprehensive lost dogs search guide, visit us at:
www.lostdogsgeorgia.org
We hope you don't need us, but if you do, we’re here to help.
Lost Dogs Georgia
The 4th of July is a day to celebrate our country’s independence. It means family picnics, parties, parades, and of course fireworks. To animal shelters across the country, it means a higher number of pets coming through their doors, overloading already-crowded shelters. The first week in July, and first week in January (New Year’s Eve fireworks), are the two busiest times of the year for the volunteers at Lost Dogs Georgia
With that in mind, it's a good time to remind everyone that fireworks and pets simply don't mix. The bright lights and loud noises can be terrifying for our pets. For them, deafening noises randomly occurring without warning must be like being in a war zone. And not knowing when or where the next explosion will occur, or understanding what the noise is, is extremely stressful for pets, as well as their owners. In addition, a dog’s hearing is roughly four times better than ours. They hear frequencies we’re unable to hear. Sounds that are acceptable to us may be painful to a dog’s sensitive ears.
Panicked dogs have been known to jump through glass windows, push through screens, bolt away from their owners while walking, jump out of moving car windows, and escape from previously-secure yards during fireworks. Even if your dog has never been bothered by them in the past, he may respond differently as he gets older.
While the Fourth of July is a day set to celebrate our country’s independence, it means something additional for shelters and lost pet sites. For shelters, it means a higher number of pets coming through their doors, overloading already-crowded shelters. For lost pet sites, it means a drastic increase in the number of lost pets listed on our sites and a rush to help these owners recover their missing pets.
Below is our list of tips to help keep your pet safe from the dangers of fireworks. Many of these tips will also help with pets that are reactive to thunderstorms.
- Be prepared. Neighbors may set off fireworks several days before and after the 4th!
- Check your fence. Is it secure? Can your dog get under, over, or through it? Does your gate latch securely? We don't recommend (ever) leaving your dog outside unattended, even if the yard is fenced.
- Use a leash when outside and wrap the leash around your hand several times. Keep a firm grip. No flexi-leads. If he bolts, the leash won’t be pulled out of your hand. For reactive dogs, it’s best to use two leashes, one to a harness, and the other to a collar.
- Your pet should be wearing a properly-fitted collar with a readable ID tag with your current phone number on it – always!
- Have your pet microchipped. Be sure the chip is registered and the company has your current phone number. Provide the number of a family member or friend as a back-up.
- Do not bring your dog to fireworks displays! Leave him at home where he’ll be safe. He’ll be much happier there.
- Keep your pet in an inside room such as a bathroom (no windows if possible). Play soft music or have the TV on to drown out noise. Through A Dog's Ear offers CDs with music proven to relax and calm pets. Give him toys to keep him occupied.
- If necessary, talk to your veterinarian about medication to calm him.
- When traveling in the car, secure him with a pet seat belt. Open the windows just enough so he can stick his nose out, but not enough for him to jump out.
- Have current photos of your pet from all angles. They should clearly show any unusual features, coloring, or markings. Do this now, before you need them.
- If your pet does go missing or you find a lost pet, immediately list them with us by going to: www.PetFBI.org
Our volunteers will be notified and you will be able to download flyers to print or share online. This is a completely free service.
For our comprehensive lost dogs search guide, visit us at:
www.lostdogsgeorgia.org
We hope you don't need us, but if you do, we’re here to help.
Lost Dogs Georgia