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As Redwood City prepares to celebrate July 4, officials from the local animal shelter are urging pet owners to remember their furry friends may not be too keen on the festivities.
“Like many shelters across the nation, we receive numerous animals at our facility who flee out of fear with sounds associated with the fourth of July,” said Buffy Martin Tarbox, communications manager for the Peninsula Humane Society (PHS) and SPCA.
As summer kicks off with the bang of July 4, local officials urge pet owners to think about how the celebrations may impact their pets.
“Dogs can become so scared they break through fences and gates fleeing their yards, become lost and are brought into our shelter as strays,” said Tarbox. “They arrive scared and often with minor injuries such as cuts on their paws. Some simple tips can help prevent these tragedies from happening.”
Tarbox suggests fireworks are a huge contributor to instances of lost pets around the holidays. She suggests keeping pets inside during fireworks, as well as leaving them at home if attending outdoor gatherings.
If your pet has reacted poorly to fireworks in the past, Tarbox recommends adding background noise in your home to drown out the impact. Those with extremely nervous animals can also consider talking to their veterinarian about using mild tranquilizers.
Finally, Tarbox highly recommends ensuring your pets have proper tags, identification and microchips.
“By following these simple tips, pet owners can help keep their pets safe and out of harm’s way,” said Tarbox.
If a pet is lost, pet owners are asked to visit PHS/SPCA at 12 Airport Blvd in San Mateo in person between 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Identification of the lost pet must happen in person, as staff cannot positively identify animals over the phone. Lost animals can also be viewed online here.
For more information, click here.
