The Baltimore County Animal Shelter advises pet owners to take the following precautions to protect their pets and keep them safe during 4th of July celebrations:

Dogs and cats have sensitive hearing; and a frightened dog can easily pull away from the leash, run off in a panic, and get lost. Pets belong at home where they are safe and comfortable.

Dogs and cats have hearing which is much more sensitive than ours, and fireworks are often frightening to them. Even calm-natured pets can panic at loud noises. Therefore, we are advising people to take the following precautions to protect their pets and keep them safe at home over the upcoming holiday.

• NEVER leave your pets in a parked car!
    
• Never take a dog or cat with you to a fireworks display or parade. Dogs and cats have sensitive hearing; and a frightened dog can easily pull away from the leash, run off in a panic, and get lost. Pets belong at home where they are safe and comfortable.
      
• Make sure your dog and cat have current, accurate and readable identification tags. Consider having your pet micro-chipped. A micro-chips provide lifelong identification for your pet, even if the owners move or the ownership of the pets changes.
   
• If you have recently moved, change your pet’s ID immediately. Many pet supply stores have instant tag making machines.
   
• Keep your pets inside, and don’t leave them unattended if the sounds of fireworks can be heard, especially if you don’t know how your pet reacts to loud noises. Don’t leave dogs outside, even in fenced yards.
    
• If your pet begins cowering, wincing, pacing, whining or crying at the sound of fireworks
• • move your pet to an area of the house where the noise is the most muffled and stay with your pet until he calms down.
  • distract your pet by playing or doing something they enjoy.
  • do not try to calm a dog by stroking or petting.
• If you know your pet is afraid of loud noises, plan ahead to find a quite place for them.
• If you find a lost pet, take the animal to the nearest animal shelter or police precinct.

For questions or additional information, contact the Baltimore County Animal Shelter.

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Revised June 18, 2008