With today being Independence Day here in the US, I wanted to share some advice from the Humane Society on keeping your animals safe during fireworks shows - they get scared and stressed out!
Fireworks: An explosion of fear for animals
Tips for keeping pets and wildlife safe and happy during seasonal celebrations
1. Keep your pet safely away from fireworks
Pets are more sensitive to loud noises, flashing lights and strong smells. On the Fourth of July, and other days people are likely to set off fireworks, it’s best to leave your pets safely indoors, preferably with a radio or TV turned on to soften jarring noises. If you’re unable to leave your pet unattended at home, keep them leashed and under your direct control at all times.
2. If your pet is scared by fireworks, ask a veterinarian for help
There are medications and techniques that might help alleviate your pet’s fear and anxiety. You can also try our suggestions for helping your dog cope with loud noises. Keep your pets comfortable all year long by reading our holiday pet safety tips.
3. Protect your pet from heat stroke during summer festivities
Another reason to keep your pets away from the often noisy celebrations of summer is heat. High temperatures put your pet at risk of heat stroke, which can become deadly very quickly. Keep an eye on your pets and act immediately if you see any signs of heatstroke.
NEVER leave your pet in a parked car, even if the day doesn’t seem that warm. The temperature outside may be a balmy 72 degrees, but the temperature inside a closed vehicle can rocket to a fatal 116 degrees in less than an hour.
Also remember that hot pavement can be dangerous to unprotected paws; if it’s too hot for you to hold your hand to the ground for five seconds, it’s not safe for your dog to walk on.
4. Safeguard your pet with a collar and ID tag
All pets, even those kept indoors full-time, should always wear collars with ID tags. Indoor-only pets can become so frightened during fireworks displays that they may take desperate measures to escape the noise, including breaking through windows or door screens. You should also ensure that your pet is microchipped and that the chip is properly registered with your current contact information.
If your pet does become lost, contact your local animal control and surrounding shelters immediately and follow the rest of our advice for finding your pet. If you find a lost pet, either take them to the address on their tag or bring them to a local animal shelter so they can be reunited with their family.
5. Encourage celebrations that use safer, more animal-friendly alternatives
- Consider working with local officials to require the use of colorful “silent” or “quiet” fireworks for public celebrations.
- Laser shows can be evocative of fireworks while being far less damaging to wildlife and polluting to the environment.
- Drone displays like the one seen at the opening of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics can be a colorful replacement for fireworks.
– Fireworks: An explosion of fear for animals | The Humane Society of the United States
