Editor’s note: This column first ran in The News-Journal June 29, 2021.
The Fourth of July is the number one day of the year for pets to run away. This results is animal shelters being extremely busy the one to 12 days immediately after the holiday. Of course, the pets run away because they fear loud noises and flashes in the sky created by exploding fireworks. Most animals that are afraid of fireworks are also terrified of thunderstorms.
Following are a few tips to keep your animals safe during both the Fourth of July and Florida’s many summer storms.
Pet-calming products for July Fourth or thunderstorms
There are several calming products for animals, including CBD oils, chewable calming tablets and the ThunderShirt — a shirt that wraps around the pet and gives them a constant hug, making them feel safe and comfortable during an anxiety attack. Keeping your eye on the weather when a storm is approaching is a great way to get ahead of the storm’s effects. Unfortunately, we never know when a firework will explode overhead, so it’s best to prepare for the week before the Fourth.
Creating a calm environment for your pet during fireworks
Keep your animals inside as much as possible. My one dog Bentley was very afraid of thunder and fireworks because he was chained to a tree and left there without any retreat available from the noise and flashes of light. I kept him in the house with blinds closed and music playing loudly on the Fourth. This practice, in addition to the ThunderShirt and calming products, kept him as calm as possible. My other dog Max, could care less and likes to sit outside and watch the fireworks, but I still use a leash when I take him out.
If you have a backyard and are accustomed to letting your dog outside to do their business and exercise, you might rethink this practice on the Fourth. We receive many lost dogs at the shelter, and the owners come to pick them up and usually say, “He jumped the fence in our yard and took off running. He has never done that before.” Animals, when faced with a fight or flight scenario, will usually opt for flight, especially when the origin of their fear is something they cannot fight and out of their control. Keep your dog on a leash, even in your own backyard. Even if you tether your dog to a cable when you let them out, stay with the dog the entire time. Dogs can have super strength when they are frightened, and a cable can snap.
Lay with your dog or cat during fearful times. Let them feel your warmth and protection. Pet them, be with them, give them treats for being brave (although most pets that are already terrified will usually not accept treats).
What if your pet gets scared and runs off during Fourth of July?
If your pet does run off, first go to the shelter in your area to see if your pet was picked up by animal control or a good Samaritan and brought to the shelter. Do not call the shelter and ask them to look to see if your pet is there. You know your pet better than anyone else, so get off your butt and see if your pet is there. Shelters are understaffed and will be very busy the week of the Fourth, so do yourself, your pet and the shelter a favor and visit to see if your pet is there. If you love your pet, this should be your first response to finding them.
If your pet is not at the shelter, visit lost pets Facebook pages covering your area. Many pages focus on Volusia and Flagler counties. Place flyers on trees and lamp posts. Sometimes old methods will still work. Post to your own Facebook page and share to the shelters page. Use Instagram, TikTok, Nextdoor.com, etc.
If your pet is not microchipped, they should be. A microchip is an inexpensive method of increasing the odds of being reunited with your pet by over 200%. Get your pet microchipped, and it lasts the lifetime of the pet. It’s a minimal investment for peace of mind and being able to find your pet.
If your pet does run away, place a piece of clothing with the scent of the person the pet most appreciates (usually the person that feeds the pet) on the driveway of your home or near the door the animal would have exited prior to running off. Leave no food but a bowl of water. Check the clothing location frequently. Many dogs, cats and even ferrets will return to the clothing and lay down on it due to picking up the scent. Animals can smell a scent from miles away, and your clothing with your scent may lead the pet back home.
Keep your pet safe and sound during active thunderstorm season and firework explosions. They depend on you to protect them, so make an extra effort during these critical and very fearful times for your pet. Lastly, please adopt, don’t shop.
A footnote: For those of you who follow my column and enjoy hearing about my pet dogs, it is with much sadness that I share with you that my eldest dog, Bentley, my golden retriever, crossed over last week. When we rescued him, he was hairless and only weighed 40 pounds. We nursed him back to health, and he blossomed into a great dog and best friend. We estimate that he was about 14 years old, so he had a long life for a golden, but the limited time we are privileged to spend with our beloved pets is never enough. We will miss Bentley very much. I believe I will be with him again once I cross over myself. Please wish Bentley safe travels. Thank you for your kindness.
Barry KuKes is a community ambassador for the Halifax Humane Society. You can email him at bkukes@gmail.com or view more of his work at minicooperproductions.com
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Talking About Pets | Fourth of July safety tips for pets
Reporting by Barry KuKes, Columnist / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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By Barry KuKes, Columnist | USA TODAY Network
