5 Steps To Make This 4th of July Peaceful for Pets
Independence Day . . . the 4th of July. BBQ. Horseshoes. Poolside lounging. It’s all fun and games until the fireworks hit and many of our pets (and sometimes ourselves!) go into fight or flight mode . . .
Though this day comes around every year, without fail our community in The City Different struggles to calm our fearful fur-kids and act desperately to reunite lost loved ones with their families.
Here are 5 steps to help us enjoy the holiday by being proactive with our critters:
1. CONTACT INFO: ID Tags and Microchip Info should all be up to date. This is the easiest and most efficient way to ensure your pet is returned to you if he or she happens to escape. Double-checking the contact information on their tag or collar and making sure it’s secure is a good precaution to take.
2. EXERCISE: Spend the day playing fun indoor games with your kitty or outdoors with your pup, walking, running, playing, swimming! A tired pet is a calm pet is a happy pet. And what better way to spend the day?
3. SAFETY FIRST: Bring anxious pets indoors before fireworks and festivities begin for their safety. Keep in mind that pets have been known to jump through windows and chew through doors in fear of the loud noises. A comfy small room or closet for kitties or a cozy crate with a yummy treat-filled Kong for dogs would be a wise choice.
4. BRING THE NOISE: To help mask the loud booms, play some music, or turn on the TV for your little ones. I purchased a noise machine that plays white and brown noise and it calms my pets, completely masking the sound of fireworks (and thunder)–I highly recommend it! Cats can hear three times better than we can with average hearing capabilities–those fireworks are loud for us, imagine how it is for them!
5. REUNITE: We can’t avoid the inevitable: escapees. If you find a pet on the loose, don’t panic! Frightened and lost, they may not react positively to your attempting to help. DO NOT CHASE THEM. Try gently luring them with treats and a soft voice, then check for a collar with tags/contact information. Nervous animals are always best approached from the side, facing the same direction they are, slow and low. If no ID can be found, please safely transport them to the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society or Española Humane. In case the pet won’t cooperate or you feel it’s unsafe to proceed, take a photo so you can post it online to our local Facebook pages and Nextdoor.
Now you’re prepared–enjoy! For those of you who will be away, A Purrfect Situation is looking forward to spending a safe and peaceful 4th with your kitties.
