July 1, 2005

Fourth of July fireworks spook animals

Frightened pets end up at Humane Society

Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is urging pet owners to keep their pets indoors during Fourth of July activities.

“Every year, we see a dramatic increase in the number of stray dogs and cats during the fourth of July holiday weekend,” said Beth Ward, vice president of animal care at Humane Society Silicon Valley. “The frightening sights and sounds of fireworks can spook animals and they often do whatever it takes to escape from their confines.”

Ward offers these suggestions to pet owners:

- Try to be home on Independence Day. If your pet is afraid of loud noises, keep him inside and turn on a TV or radio to mask loud noises. If you’ve experienced trouble in previous years with your pet being excessively frightened, consult your veterinarian for tranquilizers. Make sure you give your pet the medication before the noises start.

- Make sure your pet is wearing proper ID tags or is microchipped in case she becomes lost. Humane Society Silicon Valley is open seven days a week to escort owners of lost pets through its kennels. If your pet is found wearing tags or has a microchip, the Humane Society will make every effort within a 10-day period to contact you to reclaim your pet. Strays without tags are held five days.

- Bring cats indoors several hours before dark or at a minimum, keep them in your garage.

- Stay away from animals that are scared or traumatized by the noise and keep your children away from them. If cornered, they are more likely to bite.

- Do not take your pets with you to watch fireworks. It’s best to leave your dog safe at home with a pet sitter, relative or friend. Hiding under the bed or in a closet is a perfectly normal coping mechanism for your pet.

- Cruel people have been known to tie fireworks to an animal’s tail and light the fuse. This is another reason for keeping your animal indoors.

If your pet does become lost, do not call the shelter to ask if your animal has been picked up, since you are the only person who can positively identify your animal. Humane Society Silicon Valley’s Lost & Found Department is open Monday – Friday from 10:30 a.m.– 7:30 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The shelter will be closed on July 4, for reclaims and adoptions, but will accept incoming stray animals that will be available for reclaims on July 5.