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4th Of July Tips: Pet Safety During Firework Shows

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — While the Fourth of July is an enjoyable holiday, residents often forget to take their pets into consideration during the loud celebrations.

Due to the noise of these firework shows, pet owners often return home from celebrating to find their animals in distress or even missing.

"As long as I'm with her, she's usually pretty good," dog owner Nicolette Kovacevich said.  "She gets kind of stressed, and they shake, and they bark a lot and they kind of yap and cry."

The humane society has prepared for an influx of pets this weekend by stocking up on extra kennels.  They plan to extend their hours Friday night, hoping to reunite lost pets with their families immediately.

"A lot of them do escape, and sometimes even indoor animals end up losing their home on the 4th of July," Pasadena Humane Society Shelter Vice President Elizabeth Richer-Campo said.

Campo encourages residents to take necessary safety precautions before festivities begin.

"Keep them at home, keep them indoors," Campo said.  "The backyard is not as secure on the Fourth of July because if they get very scared, they can scale fences that they would never attempt to do before."

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and South Los Angeles Station/Lawndale Service Center have also offered some simple tips to assist in keeping pets safe this over the holiday:

  • Take your pet for a walk before leaving for celebrations to prevent an accident from occurring later on.
  • Don't take your pet to firework displays.  If you must be outside with your pet, keep them on a leash or in a carrier.
  • If your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises such as thunder, consult your veterinarian before July 4th.
  • Don't leave your pet in the car, or outside unattended.  Keep them indoors at home in a quiet, sheltered area.
  • Leave a television or radio playing as background noise to keep your pets company while you are gone.
  • Remove any fragile items to prevent any destruction from frightened animals.
  • Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that they can be returned promptly if they do become lost.  If you see any animals that are running loose, bring them to your local animal shelter.
  • If you're planning to go away for the holiday weekend, make proper arrangements for your pet to be taken care of properly while you are gone.

For more information, contact your local humane society or veterinarian.

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