Keeping your pet safe on the Fourth of July
The loud sounds of fireworks can be devastating to pets during the Fourth of July festivities.
Quick tips to consider for keeping your pets safe from harm:
Make sure your pet is wearing identification tags with current address and cell phone numbers in case they get lost. This time of year local shelters see a rise in found animals. This will be it easier for a good neighbor to return your pet without the ordeal of having to go to the animal shelter.
- If leaving town for the holiday and in the hands of someone visiting your pet during this time, make sure to be available for phone calls in case your pet were to get lost.
- When frightened, pets that normally would not escape a fenced area may find different ways to get away. During this time, it is best not to leave pets unattended outdoors, even in the backyard, but do remember to let them out to use the bathroom before leaving to see fireworks.
- Secure doggy doors so that they do not have access to outside while gone.
- Animals that are crate-trained should be left to roam part of the house. Pets can get hurt trying to escape if scared.
- Make sure to leave plenty of water for your pet to drink while stressed.
- If pet is normally frightened easily, you may want to consult a veterinarian for the right amount of tranquilizers before the fireworks start popping.
- Leaving TV or radio on while gone can distract pets from the loud noises of fireworks. Keeping windows, blinds, and curtains shut will also help prevent pet anxiety.
- For pet owners that plan on celebrating in their own home, don’t leave alcohol where pets can ingest. Certain quantities, especially in smaller breeds, can cause pets to become depressed or go into a coma.
- Pets should not be taken to see fireworks. The crowds and noise may be too much confusion and causes unnecessary anxiety.
Even after festivities are over on Fourth of July night, there is still the threat of someone having fireworks long after or other reasons that may cause an animal to leave the backyard. Two tips on how to make sure your backyard can remain secure from a pet looking to escape and still look good cosmetic-wise:
- A good base row of bricks in concrete will prevent dogs from digging under fence.
- Use high-quality gage mesh wire fencing between the wood pickets and ground.
“Dogs do not like their paws touching the mesh wire. Once they start digging and feel the wiring, they stop,” said Juan Escobar, owner of Escobar Construction. “These are great solutions that will still help with the overall look.”
By Monica PenaUpdate: The long July 4th weekend celebration and fireworks displays have resulted in an influx of lost animals being brought to the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department’s Town Lake Animal Center.
“We have seen an increase of animals that were picked up by our Animal Protection Unit and dropped off by citizens following the July 4th fireworks displays,” said Filip Gecic, operations manager at Town Lake Animal Center. “We are asking residents who have lost their animals to come to TLAC to look for them.”
The Town Lake Animal Center is located at 1156 W. Cesar Chavez. More information is also available at website www.getapetnow.com.
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