Keep your pets safe this Fourth of July

By Ellaine Kiriluk

The Buddy Foundation

The Fourth of July is a time of families getting together for picnics and barbecues, parades and of course, fireworks. We’ve had dogs who didn’t react to the booming and noise of a fireworks display, but instead slept through it all. But Independence Day can be very stressful on some of our pets. We’ve had dogs who panted and paced, hid under the bed or hid in the shower stall during the fireworks display. And growing up, our neighbor’s dog got out of the house during the fireworks display, and was hit by a car.

The Humane Society of the United States reminds us to take precautions to keep our pets safe during the Fourth of July holiday.

Ÿ Leave them home. Resist the urge to take them to fireworks displays.

Ÿ Don’t leave them in the car where they have only hot air to breathe, which can result in serious health effects — even death — in just a few minutes. Partially opened windows don’t provide enough air, but can provide an opportunity for your dog to be stolen.

Ÿ Keep your pets indoors, in a quiet, sheltered area. Some animals may become destructive, so remove any items that can be chewed, destroyed of harmful to your dog. Leaving a radio playing at normal volume may keep your dog company while his family is at parades or picnics.

Ÿ If you know your dog is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult your veterinarian before the July holiday for ways to alleviate the fear, stress or anxiety your dog will experience during fireworks displays.

Ÿ Pay attention. Never leave your pet outside, unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a tie out. In their fear, dogs who normally wouldn’t leave the yard may escape and become lost or injured. Dogs may become entangled in their tie-out ropes or chains risking injury or death.

Ÿ Tag your dogs. Make sure they are wearing identification tags with current information on them so they can be returned promptly, if they get lost. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.

Animal shelters are accustomed to receiving these “July Fourth Dogs” — dogs who run off during fireworks displays and are then rescued by animal control officers and good Samaritans, who take them to the safety of a local shelter. Call the Buddy Foundation Shelter, (847) 290-5806, if you are looking for a lost dog or cat.

Our pets depend on us to take care of them. Plan ahead and keep them safe, especially on the Fourth of July.

AdoptablesMelba is a female Treeing Walker Coonhound. She#146;s about 4 years old and weighs about 45 pounds. Molly is a female cattle dog. She#146;s about 8 months old and weighs about 30 pounds.Vito is a male Labrador retriever mix. He#146;s about 7 years old and weighs about 64 pounds.Ÿ Contact The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806; visit us at 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, or online at thebuddyfoundation.org. 12011201Molly 1201926Vito