There’s one thing the people at the Southeast Kansas Humane Society animal shelter can count on — the day after July 4 people will be calling and coming out in search of lost pets.
Many pets, terrified by the sound of fireworks, try to escape the noise by running away, explained Janett Bourbina, Humane Society business/promotions manager.
She also shared tips on preventing this.
“First, don’t take your dog along to watch fireworks,” Bourbina said. “Leave them at home in a secure room. A lot of people think it’s enough to just tie up the dog in the backyard, but they might break loose or get injured trying to escape. A caged area is much safer than tying a dog up.”
If a dog is brought inside, it’s best to leave it in an area of the home that is sheltered from outside noise and lights to provide a comfortable, low-stress environment. Some animals become destructive when they’re frightened, so it’s best to remove any objects that might become damaged or might harm the pet if chewed.
Very fearful animals might benefit from medication to calm their nerves.
“These medications are really pretty common,” Bourbina said. “Lots of veterinarians prescribe them for animals that are bothered by thunderstorms.”
Despite these precautions, sometimes a pet gets loose and lost. Then the priority is to get the animal safely back home.
“Be sure that your pet has a collar with an up-to-date tag,” Bourbina said.
Tags, as well as implanted microchips, greatly increase a pet’s chances of being reunited with its family.
PITTSBURG —
