Every year on July 4th, countless dogs and cats are frightened, injured, killed or lost as a result of the traumatic sound of fireworks. Even confined animals panic and become disoriented, breaking chains, bolting through doors or screens, only to get hit by motorists or get lost.

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County urges pet owners to think of your pet’s safety over the holiday weekend and take these precautionary measures to protect your pets from harm:

1. Make sure your pet has a current license and identification on at all times. If your pet runs away and gets lost, chances are much greater you will be reunited if your pet can be easily identified. 
2. Watch for visible signs of stress in your pet, such as nervous panting, trembling, glazed eyes and loss of appetite. 
3. The frightened pet needs a quiet place indoors with the company of family and loving reassurance that everything is fine. 
4. Cotton balls can be gently placed inside your pets ears to muffle the noise. 
5. If necessary, a tranquilizer prescription can be obtained from your veterinarian. 
6. Ask your neighbor or the celebrants to move away from the pet’s area when lighting fireworks, and discourage malicious pranksters from teasing or victimizing pets with fireworks. 
7. Your pet’s first experience around fireworks will set the tone for how well he or she will be able to cope with them in the future. If left alone, your pet will likely become very fearful upon hearing the loud noises. If in your presence, your pet will be reassured by your calm reaction. 
8. If your dog is not too nervous to take a small treat, calmly give him one each time another firecracker or other noisemaker goes off. This will help him to associate the unfamiliar noises with food, instead of fear. Soon your pet will be looking up at you expectantly, instead of cowering and trembling. 
9. Have a leash handy and go looking for your pet around the neighborhood if he/she does run off. 
10. If your pet is lost for more than 24 hours, post signs around the neighborhood about your lost pet with a description. Also, come into the Humane Society at 2608 Center Street in Tacoma to look for your pet, or call our 24-hour “Found Pets” hotline at (253) 596-8561 for dogs, or (253) 596-8989 for cats. The shelter is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; Thursdays from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm; and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and closed Sundays and holidays. 

Taking these precautions will help to ensure that you and your pets have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 28th, 2006 at 2:22 pm and is filed under Press Releases.

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