Care and prevention are key in July 4 pet safety
The days leading up to and following the Fourth of July are generally the busiest for the Humboldt County Animal Shelter, and, sadly, the same trend is expected to hold this year.
“We do see far more intakes around this time of year than any other time of year. A lot of pets manage to escape whatever confinement they were in and don't have identification, so they are brought here,” Humboldt County Animal Shelter manager Andre Hale told the Times-standard.
To keep your animal companions safe and prevent any unwanted escapes, Hale provided some recommendations ahead of the holiday weekend.
Pet safety measures
Making sure gates, fences and other potential gaps around your home are closed or secured is important. Hale also advises keeping pets indoors, where they are less likely to run outside and where it is also easier to block out the loud pops of fireworks, the main stressor for pets.
“Inside is where they're more secure, and you can give them things to help distract them such as toys or treats,” she said. “You can play music to help drown out the sounds to help them with getting through the day.”
Hale pointed out there are medications and products available to help pets with any anxiety induced by loud noises.
“If your pet does have anxiety around the holidays, there are anti-anxiety meds they may be able to get from their vet. If they have a current exam with their vet, they should be able to call and get that medication filled as needed. Even CBD oil can be used for some dogs to help with fireworks,” she said.
Playing or running with your dogs to tire them out in the day or afternoon can help them sleep better at
night when fireworks detonate more frequently.
It is not recommended to yell or scold your dogs while they are experiencing fear.
“There is old school thinking that if you comfort fear in a dog, it will make it worse. Not true, according to studies. You are seen as their safe person and your reassurance will only help them in scary times,” a message from the county animal shelter partially reads.
Keeping updated identifications or tags are important
for all pets, but especially for those that are left outdoors, like in a backyard or patio area. Microchips are also important in helping contact owners with their lost pets. Even writing a phone number on a collar with a permanent marker can be a huge help in reaching the owner of a stray pet.
Locals hitting the trails or campgrounds over the weekend with their canine companions are advised to keep their pets on a leash at all times and to include any extra on-site location information on their pets' tags or collars.
“If they could write something on their dog's collar to identify that you are camping at this campground, something like the campground's name and space number, that way if the dog wanders off someone can get the dog back to you, because, in a lot of areas around here, cell phones don't necessarily work,” Hale said.
There are websites and social media groups available online to help report and track down any lost pets. Humboldt Paws Cause, the Facebook page Humboldt Lost and Found Pets and the Craigslist section for lost and found pets see regular activity by local community members. The website 24petconnect.com can help folks find lost pets and report found animals within a zip code area.
Other precautions
While fireworks are a source of distress for pets, these also pose a potential wildfire risk in the region, which continues to experience drought conditions as fire season approaches. Cal Fire, Humboldt Bay Fire, and the U.S. Forest service all reminded residents and visitors of safety measures for the long holiday weekend.
“Every year, fires are caused by illegal and unsafe use of legal fireworks, endangering members of the public and first responders. Those responsible for starting fires due to illegal use of fireworks can be held financially and criminally responsible. Possession of illegal fireworks could lead to fines and jail time,” a Cal Fire Humboldt-del Norte unit news release states.
“The use of any fireworks, explosives or internal or external combustion engine without a spark arrestor is prohibited (in) the forest,” a Forest Service release reads.