To help protect pets during the festivities, here are some tips for pet owners:
- Keep your pet indoors during fireworks celebrations in a quiet, isolated room with covered windows, such as a bathroom, or a basement where there are no windows. Turn on a fan, radio or TV to muffle the sound of fireworks. These devices provide familiar indoor sounds and may help soothe your pet if he must be alone on this noisy holiday.
- Don’t bring your pet to a fireworks display.
- If you know from experience that your pet will suffer from severe anxiety caused by the loud noise of fireworks, consider talking with your veterinarian in advance about giving your pet a mild tranquilizer.
- If your pet behaves nervously by pacing, whining or crying, try playing with her as a distraction or doing something she enjoys.
- Make sure your pet always wears an appropriately fitted collar and an I.D. tag with your current phone number and address. Your pet should also be wearing a current license/rabies tag.
- You may want to talk with your veterinarian about providing your pet with a microchip identification implant in case your pet loses his collar and tags. And if your pet already has a microchip, make sure the contact information is up to date.
- More tips for helping your pets cope with fireworks can be found by clicking here.
- If you find a lost pet, take it to your nearest animal shelter. You can also place a “found” ad in your local paper, on websites like Finding Rover, Next Door, Facebook or Craigslist and post notices around your neighborhood.
- If your pet does go missing, check the website of the shelter closest to you, then check our Lost & Found page to look for your lost pet. Additionally, follow these tips to give your pet the best chance of returning home quickly and safely.
