The Fourth of July is just around the corner, which means celebrations with family and friends and an evening fireworks show. However, those may not be the best places to have your furry friends tag along.
Loud crowds and the booms of fireworks can be frightening to your animals and cause anxiety. If pets get loose, they may run away out of fear. Since the Fourth of July can be a very scary time for your animals, here are some tips to help keep your animals calm and safe during the Fourth:
- Going to a celebration? Leave your pets at home. Secure them in a safe location inside your home where they cannot escape, minimizing that chances of animals running away.
- Hosting a celebration? Keep your pets inside and let your guests know that you do not want them getting out. Leave notes posted on all doors and ground level windows asking your guests to ensure that your animals don’t go outside before, during or after the firework show.
- Setting off fireworks? Just a friendly reminder that fireworks are illegal in Everett city limits. If you or your neighbors set off fireworks this year where they are allowed, leave your animals secured inside to help minimize the traumatizing sounds of the fireworks booms, loud music and crowds.
- Need to go for a walk? Keep your pets leashed at all times, even when in your yard, so they do not have a chance to run away if a loud boom goes off.
- What to do after the Fourth of July is over: Check your yard and sidewalks for debris of used/ unused fireworks and sparklers, glow sticks, leftover food bits, and skewers from kabobs.
- What to do if your animal gets loose and runs away during the Fourth of July: Don’t assume that your animal will return on their own. Since they ran away during a traumatic time, they may not want to return or they may not know their way home. To help reunite with your lost pets as soon as possible, make sure all your animals are microchipped, licensed and have an ID tag on their collars, and keep your contact information updated. Posting on social media to your page and local community pages can be a good place to start with a photo of your lost pet, description and details of when/where they were last seen. Visit your local animal shelter to see if your pet has been found by animal control or by a good Samaritan. Visit everettwa.gov/LostPets to learn more.
Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!