Your dog probably doesn’t like fireworks; keep them safe inside this July 4
If there’s anything a family dog hates more than not being allowed to put their head in your lap while you eat, its fireworks.
Every year, Rovers, Spots and Fidos across the city howl at the indecency of the human-beloved summer holiday.
This year, while the town gathers at Mills Park in Carson City to watch the annual fireworks, which begin at around 9:30 p.m. please: keep your dogs and cats safe and cool indoors.
Your dog doesn’t understand the sounds are coming from the sky, miles away from their yard. They will undoubtedly attempt their best escape attempt, and each year, the Humane Society receives calls upon calls of loose dogs in the streets.
Some dogs never end up making it home. Running through dark roads, they could be hit by cars, become disoriented and lost in the hills; the possibilities are endless.
The Nevada Humane Society has listed a four step program to keep pets safe for the holiday:
— Keep your pet safely away from fireworks
— If your pet is scared by fireworks, ask a veterinarian for help
— Protect your pet from heat stroke during Summer festivities
— Safeguard your pet with a collar and I.D. tag
In addition, Regional Animal Services offers this advice:
— Before the fireworks start, bring and keep your dog or cat inside
— Keep windows and doors closed
— Take steps to drown the outside noise such as leaving a radio, television, fan, or air conditioner on
— If you know that your pet does experience extreme anxieties to loud noises, it may be worthwhile to contact your veterinarian to see what recommendations they have
— If you’re going to a firework display, the best way for everyone to get the most enjoyment is to leave your pets at home
According to Margie Quirk, owner of Lone Mountain Veterinary Hospital who helps administer the Missing Pets Carson City Facebook page, the site posts reminders of ways to keep pets safe on the 4th of July beginning a couple weeks leading up to the holiday.
"Inevitably, shortly after the fireworks are over we start getting frantic posts from owners who have just arrived home to discover their dog missing from yard," said Quirk. "I'm not sure if owners don't see the numerous posts that are all over the news and Facebook, or if they don't think it will happen to their dog. Some dogs can become noise phobic as they age. It's really not worth taking the chance."
She urges pet owners to never take pets to fireworks displays. People should leave their pets inside homes and never in vehicles. Inside the homes, she suggests closing all windows and shutting the blinds. Quirk also recommends turning up the volume on televisions and stereos during the fireworks show, drowning out the loud, popping noises.
- Carson City
- 4th of July
- cars
- carson
- cat
- cats
- City
- closed
- Community
- d
- day
- Display
- dog
- dogs
- Experience
- Family
- Fireworks
- help
- holiday
- home
- homes
- Humane Society
- Independence Day
- July
- Lone Mountain
- lost
- May
- Mills Park
- mountain
- Nevada
- Nevada Humane Society
- news
- Pet
- pets
- program
- radio
- regional
- running
- Safe
- Services
- Show
- Stroke
- summer
- television