Keeping your Pets Safe during the Independence Day Celebrations
Most people celebrate Independence Day by attending their Cities/Towns or states fireworks celebration. While this is a fun time for you and your family, it is not for your pets.
Many people choose to bring along their pets while they attend the fireworks celebration. This causes high anxiety for our companion animals. Everything from large crowds of strange people wanting to give your pet attention to fear from the fireworks display of loud booms, cracks, whistles and ear piercing noises. Also to be taken into consideration are the tendencies of hot and humid weather normally around this time of year.
Pets involved in this environment have known to break away from their owners and become lost, stolen or injured. They also are known to bite people or other dogs due to high levels of anxiety caused from an active and strange environment. They can suffer heat exhaustion and in some cases hearing damage. Dogs hearing are on average 10-20 times more sensitive than humans.
Leaving your pet in your vehicle is not recommended. Some cases animals will break through a window to escape from vehicle if they are frightened. The risks of heat exhaustion and Pet Thieves are also a concern. It is good to know that if your pet is left in your vehicle and the pet’s health or welfare is in jeopardy, your pet could be removed from your vehicle by an enforcement official. Your animal could be impounded and you could face ticketing, fines and possibly even criminal charges under Vermont State Law.
It is strongly recommended to leave your pet inside your home where they are safe and away from the Holidays noisy spectacles.
Never leave your pet outside, chained or allowed to roam free even inside a fenced in yard. Your pet could break it’s chain, jump the fence or dig under the fence to escape.
Ultimately, leaving your pet inside the home with the television, radio and/or an air conditioner on for a distraction is the best course of action. Shut windows and pull curtains or blinds enough so your pet will not be tempted to jump out. Remove any items that could be chewed on or ingested that could be harmful, poisonous or cause choking. Remember dogs and cats sensitivity to fireworks sounds can be heard by them from quite a distance away, causing abnormal anxiety and unwanted behavior as mentioned above.
If you already know your pet has severe anxiety responses to the fireworks and loud noises such as thunderstorms, please contact your veterinarian for ways to alleviate your pets fear.
Have a Safe and Happy Fourth of July.
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