Animals wish our celebrations would be a little quieter
July 3rd, 2009 by admin
This week, animal control agencies across the state urged Floridians to take extra care of companion animals during this weekend’s Independence Day celebrations.
The Fourth of July holiday can be frightening- and dangerous- for animals. “Those big booms are pretty loud, even to us,” explained Diane Anderson, with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Central Florida, in an article in the Orlando Sentinel. “They are seeing the flashes of light, hearing the commotion, people outside yelling. It sounds like war or an attack to them.” The Sentinel article featured Mouse, a 75-pound English mastiff who is not scared of much, but who is terrified by fireworks. The loud noises cause him to “drool, pant, not eat and try to hide his massive head.”
The Fourth of July holiday is one of the busiest times of the year for animal control, with people coming to shelters to look for lost animals, and others bringing lost cats and dogs into the shelters. Scott Trebatoski of Jacksonville Animal Care and Control, expressed particular concern this year because Independence Day falls on a Saturday and shelters will be closed the following day. “We might not be able to get to these animals,” Trebatoski told the Jacksonville Times-Union. “This year, out of all years, people should take extra care because the safety net isn’t there.”
Pinellas County Animal Services, the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Santa Rosa County Animal Services were among the agencies that reminded residents about the danger of fireworks and who offered tips for keeping companion animals safe.
Because we can’t explain to animals that the explosions and bright lights are part of the fun of the holiday, here are some tips on keeping companion animals safe this weekend:
- Don’t take your companion animals to fireworks displays. It’s best to keep animals at home.
- Don’t leave animals outside and unattended. Frightened animals can jump fences or escape from enclosures that would normally keep them secure, or become entangled in their chain trying to find refuge from loud noises.
- Bring cats and dogs indoors to a safe, secure room until the celebrations are over.
- Closing curtains and turning on music may help to calm animals. Dogs may also be distracted by giving them a new toy to chew.
- Make sure that your companion animals always wear identification to make it easier for you to be reunited in case your animals go missing (make sure the ID tag has your current contact information).
- Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where animals can reach them. Alcohol can poison animals.
- Take your dog for a walk early in the evening, before fireworks begin, to prevent “accidents” if your pet becomes frightened.
- If your neighbors are lighting small fireworks, consider contacting law enforcement. Bottle rockets, firecrackers and any fireworks that leave the ground or explode are illegal in Florida.