Animal Care and Control shares tips to calm pets during Fourth of July fireworks

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Fireworks and Independence Day go hand-in-hand, but that doesn’t mean our four-legged friends at home are used to the grand displays that come with July 4 celebrations.

According to Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control (FWACC), the month of July and summertime as a whole is the busiest season for shelters. The noise and bright flashes that come with fireworks can scare animals, sadly leading to runaway pets – specifically cats and dogs – that become lost.

To prevent the upcoming holiday from being overshadowed by a stressful search for our beloved animals, FWACC has some tips:

• Keep your pets inside the house, where they are safe and comfortable.
• Place curtains over windows to minimize visual stimulation.
• Play calming music, white noise, or Animal Planet on TV.
• Give your pets enrichment and their favorite toys so they can keep their minds busy and not focused on the loud fireworks. Try filling a toy with peanut butter or various treats.
• Some pets are more anxious than others. We recommend talking to your veterinarian to see if any medication could aid in keeping your pet’s stress level down.
• For cats, FWACC recommends purchasing and using a non-sponsored product called Feliway. It puts out a calming pheromone that is unique to only cats.
• If you need to take your dog outside to use the bathroom, make sure they are wearing a properly fitted collar or harness while they are leashed even if you have a fence.
• Double-check your fence to make sure there are no openings or loose areas, and check that all latches are secure.
• Make sure all pets are wearing up-to-date ID tags on their collars or harnesses.
• Make sure your pet is microchipped and that the information is current. FWACC offers microchipping for just $15. To check to see if your pet’s microchip is up-to-date, visit the website.

It’s tough to think about, but in the event your pet does get loose, FWACC says to start looking for them immediately. File a lost pet report with the shelter online or call during business hours, post on the Facebook group Lost Dogs of Fort Wayne or Lost Cats of Fort Wayne, and check online daily for currently housed stray animals.

FWACC says lost pets will be able to be picked up starting July 5 when the shelter opens at 11 a.m. If you find a lost pet, it’s important to get it checked for a microchip at a veterinarian’s office or by an Animal Control Officer so its owner can be contacted.

As your family enjoys the typical Fourth of July celebrations, remember to check in with your pets. FWACC says animals expressing fear, anxiousness, or stress are more likely to run away or even bite. For the safety of the community, your family, and your pets, the shelter asks pet owners to keep the animals safely inside the house during the hullabaloo of a fireworks show.