Keep Your Pets Safe this July 4th: Enjoy Fireworks
On the Fourth, But Leave Your Pet At Home
Every year, too many pets in Westchester and Putnam
are lost, injured and/or hit by cars when they panic
and attempt to escape from the noise of fireworks. Dog's
and cat's ears are many times more sensitive than human
ears. The loud booms of fireworks will cause some to
chew through leashes, dig under fences, jump through
screens and windows and bolt from guardians into traffic.
The
Humane Society of the United States strongly encourages
people to take the following precautions to protect
pets during 4th of July festivities:
Resist taking your pet to the fireworks displays.
Most animals don’t enjoy the holiday’s noisy
spectacles.
Don’t leave your pet in the car. In addition
to the danger posed by pet thieves, cars can heat up
to a deadly temperature in minutes, even with windows
partially opened.
Keep your companion animal in a safe place indoors.
Some animals can become destructive when frightened,
so be sure that you’ve removed any items that your
pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet
if chewed on. Leave a radio or television on at normal
volume to provide him or her with some companionship
while you’re attending the picnics and parades.
If you know that your pet is seriously distressed
by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian
before July 4 for ways to help alleviate the fear and
anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.
Never leave pets outside and unattended, even
in a fenced yard or on a chain. Animals may panic, escape
and get lost, or get injured by becoming entangled in
their chain.
Make sure your pets are wearing identification
so they can be returned if they do get lost. Animals
found running at-large should be taken to the local
animal shelter, where they will have the best chance
of being reunited with their owners.
If you plan to go away for the holiday weekend,
visit "Related
Information" links to find information about
traveling with your pet or alternately on choosing
a professional pet sitter or boarding kennel.
Find a Westchester and Putnam County animal shelter,
pet rescue organization or humane society where you
can adopt, donate and volunteer in Ardsley, Armonk,
Bedford, Bedford Hills, Brewster, Briarcliff Manor,
Bronxville, Carmel, Chappaqua, Cold Spring, Croton,
Dobbs Ferry, Eastchester, Elmsford, Harrison, Hartsdale,
Hastings, Irvington, Katonah, Kent, Larchmont, Lewisboro,
Mamaroneck, Mount Kisco, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon,
Nelsonville, New Rochelle, North Salem, Ossining, Patterson,
Peekskill, Pelham, Philipstown, Pleasantville, Port
Chester, Pound Ridge, Purchase, Putnam Valley, Rye,
Rye Brook, Scarsdale, Sleepy Hollow, Somers, Southeast,
Tarrytown, Tuckahoe, White Plains, Yonkers, and Yorktown.
Our local shelters and rescues are overwhelmed with
dogs and cats. Learn about our pet overpopulation crisis
and what we can do to help reduce our pet overpopulation.
Thinking of adding a new cat, dog, ferret, rabbit,
gerbil, hamster (or other) to your family? The 4 Steps
Quiz will help you make the right adoption choice for
a forever pet for you and your family.
