As July 4th draws nearer, the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) would like to remind pet owners that extra precautions are needed to keep pets safe during the celebrations.
To keep your pets safe, here are a few tips:
• Make sure your pet has a collar and tag with your personal information on it. Enter a phone number where you can be reached.
• Have your pet microchipped and register your pet with the company. Don’t take your pets with you if you see fireworks. The noise and other activities at these events can easily startle and overwhelm your dog or cat.
• Keep your pets in a cool, comfortable place with “white noise” distraction.
• Your pets may want to hide; Allow them access to a room that is away from windows.
• When your dog is outside, make sure all gates are closed and bolted and the fence is secure. Your dog can try to run away if startled.
• If you are leaving town for the weekend and cannot take your pets with you, make sure you leave them with someone who will be careful and keep them safe during the July 4th celebrations.
• Talk to your veterinarian if you feel your pet needs additional medication assistance.
“Independence Day is a time of celebration for people, but not for animals. Fireworks can frighten our beloved pets, and they can be injured or lost as a result. Please make sure your pets are safe and properly identified in the event that they flee, and keep an eye on your pets to monitor their behavior and stress levels, ”says DACC Director Marcia Mayeda.
If your pet leaves the yard or is lost, post flyers in your neighborhood and on social media sites like Nextdoor, Ring, and Facebook, and check the websites of all nearby animal shelters. For more information on what to do if your pet is lost, including customizable, downloadable flyer templates, please visit the website at https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/if-you-lost-your-pet/
Submitted by Don Belton, Public Information Officer
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