Jul 04 2008
Keep Your Furry Friends Safe on the 4th of July
From In Defense of Animals, here are some tips to keep your pooch happy and safe over the holiday weekend.
* Leave your companion animals at home when you go to see fireworks.
* Before you leave home for the fireworks, make sure your animals are indoors in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you’ve removed any items that your companion animal could destroy or that would be harmful if chewed or swallowed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him/her company.
* Make sure your animals are wearing identification tags (and it’s even better if they’re also microchipped) so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly.
* Do not leave an animal in your car. With only hot air to breathe, your animal friend can suffer serious health effects, even death, in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air or cooling, but they do provide an opportunity for your animal to be kidnapped.
* If you know that your animal becomes seriously distressed by loud noises, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.
* Never leave your animals outside unattended, even in a fenced yard, and especially not on a chain. With explosions occurring, animals who normally wouldn’t leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.
* If you find somebody else’s companion animals running at-large, either take them to the address on the tag, if you feel comfortable doing so, or bring them to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their human families.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offers the following additional tips:
* Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where animals can reach them.
* Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your animal that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Use this instead.
* Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of animals’ reach.
* Keep animals on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can cause severe indigestion and diarrhea.
* Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach.
* Never use fireworks around animals.
In Defense of Animals, located in San Rafael, Calif., is an international animal protection organization with more than 85,000 members and supporters dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of animals by protecting their rights and welfare. IDA’s efforts include educational events, cruelty investigations, boycotts, grassroots activism, and hands-on rescue through our sanctuaries in Mississippi and Cameroon, Africa. In Defense of Animals is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
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The advice was very helpful. Thanks.