Fireworks and other booming noises are terrifying for animals to experience. Here's how you can minimize their impact.
Did you know that more pets run away on the Fourth of July than any other day? In places where there are multiple fireworks displays several days before and after the actual 4th, animal control officers have to hire extra staff from smaller towns to assist with large scale animal escapes.
So, to combat that, the Salt Lake County Animal Services board released a list of tips for pet owners to follow in order to keep their four-legged friends safe, happy, and comfortable.
These tips don't necessarily have to only be in effect for just the Fourth of July. If you can plan out any time of the year that there will be loud noises outside of your home, you should enact these tactics.
- Go for walks early on in the day.
- Leave your pets at home, do NOT bring them to outdoor fireworks displays ESPECIALLY if there will be lots of other people or dogs there.
- Give your pet a safe, quiet place to relax.
- Play soft music or white noise to drown out the bangs, pops, and whizzes.
- Keep your pets indoors. Draw the blinds and close your windows. If your pet gets agitated, they could potentially bust through screened windows.
- MOST IMPORTANTLY: make sure your pet is microchipped, so in the event that they do escape, you will be able to find them using that data. Make sure they are wearing an identifying collar with a tag. If you don't have a tag, make sure that you duct tape over the collar and write your name and phone number.
- Make sure you protect yourself if your animal is feeling threatened. Don't be afraid to leave them alone if they act aggressively. A dog will bite you if it feels threatened, it's not personal, and it doesn't;t mean that the animal is necessarily dangerous, just keep your distance.