Don’t Let that BIG Bang End in Loss
Let’s face it. We love to celebrate our holidays! This time of year is chockfull of fireworks displays all over. Many of our neighbors’ enjoy setting them off in their backyards. As long as it is safely done, why not?
Wildlife, pets and livestock are all endangered because of fireworks displays. Did you know that there is a rise in lost animals around holidays? Party activities, and sudden loud noise can cause them to bolt or hide and sometimes become traumatized.
Here are some ideas to keep your animals safe during this time of year.
Fireworks
- Walk your dog earlier in the day. Don’t leave them tied out in the evening. Please bring them in. Cats should be brought in during the festivities even if they generally spend evenings outside.
- Make sure pets are wearing their collars and tags or id.
- If you are having an event at your house, or if there are fireworks going off around the neighborhood during the day, keep an eye on your pet. If you know they have difficulty with loud noise situations (ex. thunder storms, pots and pans banging) don’t chance having them around the activity. Even a usually mellow pet can lash out in fear and injure itself, your family or guests.
- Inside, have places for your pet to hide. If they are super-sensitive keep them in a bedroom or a safe area until the display is over. Close the curtains or shades to muffle the noise. Turn a radio or tv on low.
- Keep calm around your pets during the noise.
- Keep your eye on young children. A nervous pet can be a danger to them.
- Older children should be monitored if they are handling or playing with fireworks. A careless (or intentional) toss of a firework at a pet, may cause serious injuries.
- Livestock owners should move their animals away from areas where firework parties are likely to take place. Do this well in advance so that the animals have a chance to get used to their new surroundings
- Livestock owners should check that paddocks are well fenced and secure before the fireworks start. Frightened farm animals that get out of their paddocks can harm themselves and can also cause road accidents.
Tips to Remember for Picnics and BBQs
As with any gathering, do not feed your animal party food. Keep an eye on your buffet table. Here is an article we published earlier which lists some of the foods that may upset your animals digestion or may even poison them.
http://tarpsanimalsheltervt.org/2011/12/30/hey-i-didnt-know-that/
Happy Independence Day. Stay safe and have fun!
Some helpful links:
http://www.mercurynews.com/gary-bogue/ci_21000549/bogue-pets-and-fireworks-bad-mix
http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/welfare/documents/fireworks.pdf
