Courtesy The Loveland Connection & Gannett Publications
Written by: Marcie Willms
READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE:
Marcie Willms: Help your pets this Fourth of July
http://t.co/ujLLNc5
Ms. Willms does a great job conveying the importance of safeguarding your pet against the loud noises produced by fireworks. Sure, people love them, but how does your pet feel, in particular "
dogs"?
Being from the
Humane Society she immediately brings this point home; "Every year around the Fourth of July, animal shelters like the Larimer Humane Society, see a surge of lost dogs brought into the shelter by one of our Animal Protection and Control officers or a good-natured neighbor." he says. She continues, "Frightened by the booms, bangs and bright lights that accompany fireworks, many tragically terrified dogs will break free of their outdoor leashes or jump a high fence, looking for a safe haven. Many will travel in the fright of night, later to be found miles from their homes, exhausted and disoriented."
She then tells us that if "we take the necessary precautions and plan accordingly, your dog can have a calmer, more relaxing holiday."
I would like to thank her for this great list of tips that I will try to paraphrase:
» When you leave to go to the July Fourth celebration, keep pets at home, inside and shielded from loud noises.
» Leave a
TV or
Radio on at a normal volume to drown out the noise; plus there is the bonus that it will keep your pet company.
» You may consider crating or kenneling your dog so they feel safe and secure. Mr Willms makes it a point to mention that "Dogs have a tendency to become destructive when frightened".
» Don't leave your pet outside unattended. They have very acute hearing & loud noises have a tendency to upset them. This may even cause some dogs to act erratically out of fear. Even if your dog is normally happy & very accustomed to being in their yards might try to escape by jumping over or digging under the fence, or worse, become entangled in a chain, risking serious injury or even death.
» If you know that you'll be gone for a long time, consider hiring a pet-sitter or invite a friend a family member to stay with your pet. Dogs don't over react so much when they are with their owners or people they trust.
» If your pet experiences severe anxiety or fear of loud noises, visit the vet before hand and get his recomendation.
» NEVER leave your pet in the car. Cars heat very quickly, with the temperature reaching 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even in shaded areas. And even hotter in souther climates. And partially opened windows is not sufficient enough to keep your pet cool during the hot summer months.
» ALWAYS license, register and tag your pet. A license is your pet's ticket home. Licenses are the most inexpensive way to ensure your pets are reunited with you quickly and safely should they escape during the Fourth of July holiday, or anytime of the year for that matter. It is the law to license your dog or cat in most states and you should check with your local town, city, county or even state. Also, do not forget to renew your pet's license as this is just as important. And, if your pet is micro-chipped, please be sure to update your pet's chip information to ensure the correct information is stored in the local database. Also take note that licenses still are required on all micro-chipped animals.
Ms. Marcie Willms is the Community Relations Manager for Larimer Humane Society and a Loveland resident.
