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Pet Owners Should Take Steps to Make Sure Animals are Safe During Fourth of July Holiday

Kevin Willis

Local animal shelters are warning pet owners to take extra precautions heading into the Fourth of July holiday. The loud sounds and flashing lights associated with fireworks can frighten and disorient pets, and they often bolt from their owners or yard trying to get away from the noise.

“The best thing to do is to put them in an interior room, somewhere where there isn’t a window,” says Kendall Paul, executive director of the Vanderburgh Humane Society. “Dogs have been known to bust out screens, or even bust out glass windows if they’re that freaked out about the noise and light.”

Paul advises dog owners to leave their pets at home during holiday events featuring loud noises like fireworks.

For animal shelters around the country, the coming days are usually extremely busy ones.

“Usually the business day following the Fourth of July is one of our busiest days for lost and found reports for animals,” Paul told WKU Public Radio. “So make sure that your animal has proper identification on. We highly recommend that you microchip your animal. We also recommend that they wear collars with tags that have your cell phone number on it.”

Paul says having your personal phone number on the tag is much better than having the number of the pet’s veterinarian or shelter on it. If the pet is lost after hours, having an owner's phone number increases the chances of getting the animal back to its owner sooner.

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Kevin is the News Director at WKU Public Radio. He has been with the station since 1999, and was previously the Assistant News Director, and also served as local host of Morning Edition.
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