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Fourth of July pet safety tips
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I'm Rosalee. Take me home. (Photo - HWAC)
Our nation’s birthday symbolizes freedom and independence, but sadly it brings the wrong kind of freedom and independence for many pets.
Animal rescue organizations report that in reaction to the fireworks, more companion animals escape their yards and homes on July 4th than on any other day of the year.
The days leading up to and the days after the Fourth can also be dangerous, because of folks setting off their own fireworks or firing guns.
Helen Woodward Animal Center (HWAC) spokesman John Van Zante says, “Even if the fireworks are several miles away, the sound can terrify family pets. If they don’t have safe places to hide, or if there’s a way for them to run out a door or escape through a fence, your pet will be gone.”
HWAC provides the following tips on keeping your dogs and cats safe during the week of Independence Day celebrations.
. Do not take your pets along to the fireworks displays.
. Bring your pets indoors before fireworks displays begin.
. Make sure that your pets have access to their favorite “safe place” or find a quiet, comfortable, enclosed room where your pets can “hide” if they need to.
. If you go to a fireworks display and leave your pets at home alone, leave the radio or TV set on so there is some “normal” background noise.
“This is also a great time to make sure your pets are micro-chipped.” says Van Zante. “Many pets that run away during the fireworks escape by slipping out of their collars. A micro-chip will identify your pet if it ends up at a shelter.”
What if your pet escapes in spite of your efforts? “Search through your neighborhood right away…then keep it up. Don’t quit after a day or two. Check with the animal shelters and keep checking for several weeks. You can also post signs in your neighborhood, but the best thing to do is to make sure your pets never get out to begin with.”
JULY FOURTH SAFETY CHECKLIST FROM HWAC:
Do NOT take your pets along to the fireworks displays.
Remember that you don’t have to be near the fireworks for the noise to scare your pets.
Don’t trust a fence to keep your pets in the yard while you’re gone.
Make sure all inside doors and windows are securely closed (not just the screen door).
Make sure your pets have a “safe place” in the house where they can be comfortable or hide.
If you’ll be gone during the fireworks, turn the TV or radio so they have normal background noise.
A pet with a microchip can be easily identified and returned to you if it ends up at a shelter. (A high percentage of the dogs that run away during the 4th of July have pulled out of their collars…leaving their identification behind.)
If your pet DOES get away:
Search your neighborhood.
Talk to your neighbors.
Post signs.
Check with local shelters.
Keep it up! A frightened pet may go into hiding for several days…or run outside your neighborhood.
If you find a stray pet in the hours or even days after the fireworks:
Remember that it is scared and can be unpredictable.
Don’t run after it.
Approach with caution.
Pets must be “contained” for an officer to come get it.
If you put the “found” pet in your yard…don’t let your pet interact with it.
If you lose your pet or find a lost pet:
Be patient! Animal control officers do a great job…but their work load multiplies.
Call them with the information they need then be patient until they arrive.
For the location of all animal shelters in the San Diego area log on to www.animalcenter.org.
For more information call Helen Woodward Animal Center at (858) 756-4117 or visit the Center at 6461 El Apajo Road.
The adoptions department at Helen Woodward Animal Center will be open
regular hours, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Fourth of July.
TODAY’S ADORABLE ADOPTABLE
(Description from HWAC)
Rosalee (photo above) is a three-year-old, spayed, female Manchester terrier mix. About a dozen pounds and fully grown! A genuine socialite who has attended several events from our Spring Fling to this year's San Diego County Fair. Rosalee will make a delightful addition to any family. Glide with pride with Rosalee!
For a companionship cutie, you can adopt Rosalee for just $200.
All pets adopted from Helen Woodward Animal Center have been spayed or neutered, have up-to-date vaccinations and microchip identification.
Helen Woodward Animal Center kennels are open everyday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe.
Adoption applications are accepted till 5:45pm.
For more information call (858) 756-4117, option #1 or log on to www.animalcenter.org.
HWAC SUMMER CRITTER CAMP
(Info from HWAC)
“Mom! We met hissing cockroaches, tree frogs and learned about dogs!”
The ultimate day camp adventure for kids ages 4-14 years who get to touch the animals and learn!
Camps are offered as full-day, weeklong sessions June through August 21, 2009.
Hop To It! Slither On In! Register Today!
Contact Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Education Department at (858) 756-4117 ext. 318.
6461 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe.
Download the registration form at www.animalcenter.org and fax it to (858) 756-3954.
A lifelong dog addict and rescuer, Katerina (a.k.a. Kathryn Makris) wrote Your Adopted Dog: Everything You Need to Know about Rescuing and Caring for a Best Friend in Need (The Lyons Press, 2007) with coauthor Shelley Frost. Katerina's other credits include seventeen novels, numerous newspaper and magazine articles, and a CBS teleplay.
Email Katerina at youradopteddog@yahoo.com, and visit her and Shelley at www.youradopteddog.com
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