MARSHALL COUNTY, Ky. — As many prepare for July 4 celebrations and fireworks, the Marshall County Humane Society had shared ways to keep pets safe and calm.
According to the American Kennel Club, more pets go missing during the July 4 weekend than any other time of the year.
Manager at the Humane Society of Marshall County Leann Ferguson said there are multiple ways to prevent a pet from getting lost, some of which start when they're young.
“We say get it out into the public,” said Ferguson. “Not only so they can see and smell other things that they never find in your house, but so they can hear and see and smell other people, and that will make them less nervous when they get into an environment where they are absolutely lost.”
Ferguson said pet owners can also buy calming chews, but be mindful of the time because animals may not want to eat if they are anxious or scared.
“Before 8 o'clock or so… if you're buying calming chews for your dogs or if you've gone to the vet to get some sort of a tranquilizer for your dog and you have to put it in a pill pocket or cheese or hot dog or whatever, you have to get it in that animal before the fear sets in and they stop eating,” said Ferguson.
It is also advised to use fans, televisions or other household items that make noise to cover the sound, which may help fireworks to seem less sudden.
“If you've got that going and it's just slightly too loud, that's gonna drown out a lot that's happening outside so that they will hear less of it going on out there if you've already got some noises, constant noises, in your house,” said Ferguson.
Whether cat or dog, Ferguson said it is a good idea to have them wear a collar with contact information on it. That could be a metal tag or even a piece of masking tape with their owner's name, phone number and/or address on it. Additionally, should an Apple tag be used, be sure to change its batteries. When it comes to getting microchipped, remember that the chip won't work unless it is fully set up, which can require going online.
“It's still a blank slate with a number on it. Your phone number and your name and your address is not on that until you get on the computer and put it in there,” said Ferguson.
For those who come across a stray, Ferguson said do not pick it up unless you have a place for it.
“Sometimes animal control has had to tell people, ‘put it back where you got it because it probably lives there' and, if you're taking it miles away and setting it free in your yard because you don't have a cage or a basement or somewhere to put it, you've just took it out of it's natural environment it is absolutely lost,” said Ferguson.
Ferguson added that cats, especially black, orange or gray, can be harder to identify if they get lost because they don't have specific markings. To be extra cautious, put up additional barriers such as puppy gates to give pets a second barrier before getting outside. For those who do not have a collar and need one, Ferguson said the Humane Society of Marshall County has extra that they can give out.