How to keep your pets safe and comfortable during fireworks

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Independence Day is celebrated with friends and family, but often we can forget about how our pets at home could react to the overwhelming sounds.

Before you go out to enjoy Fourth of July celebrations, it’s important to make sure your furry friends are secure in a safe environment.

“Best thing is to just keep comforting them. I mean, they love their owners the most. So being with your pet is going to be the most comforting thing you can do for them, and like I said, if you really need to you, can prepare in advance by getting them medications that can help with calming,” said vet tech Trey Melton.

Melton said to avoid taking your pets outside once fireworks start. Instead, opt for puppy pads.

“Just kind of have to limit your outside time as best as possible, especially since that’s when the fireworks are going to be going off the most. The less you can expose them to the actual noise itself, the better,” said Melton.

Juanita Cox, a volunteer with Lake Charles Pitbull Rescue, said about 75% of runaway pets are caused by the loud noises of fireworks.

“A lot of it is just human error. They don’t know, they’re new pet owners, or their young owners, and they don’t realize the gravity of what fireworks can do. You know it’s truly just an accident,” said Cox.

Cox recommends having your dog microchipped to be able to locate them just in case.

“If that does happen and somebody finds them, they can take them to the vet or bring them to one of our volunteers that has a scanner, and we can scan them and reunite them with their families,” said Cox.

Lake Charles Pitbull Rescue asks all new pet families adopting their animals to keep dogs inside.

Animal experts say July 5 is the busiest day for animal shelters.

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