July 4 Pet Safety

More dogs are lost on July 4 than any day of the year. At BrightSide Animal Center, we urge pet owners to follow the safety tips recommended by the Humane Society of the United States, which is published below.

Act now, before the holiday, to protect your pet. Your veterinarian can dispense medications that will help control your pet's anxiety if he is reactive to loud noises. If your pet is not microchipped, visit your veterinarian to get a microchip now, before the holiday. Microchipping also is available at BrightSide Animal Center, 1355 NE Hemlock Ave. in Redmond, for $30. This service is available Tuesday – Thursday and 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Friday.

"On the Fourth of July, so many pets are frightened and try to escape the sights and sounds that animal shelters around the nation report a dramatic increase in lost pets during the holiday.

Help your pets keep their cool: Follow these tips from the Humane Society of the United States for making them safe during loud—and hot—warm weather festivities.

1. Keep your pet safely away from fireworks
Our pets are more sensitive to loud noises, flashing lights and strong smells, so on the Fourth of July (and the days around it when people are likely to set off fireworks), it’s best to leave your pets safely indoors, preferably with a radio or TV turned on to hide jarring noises.
Even pets who are usually kept outdoors should be brought inside. And if you are going to an Independence Day event and cannot leave your pet unattended at home, keep her leashed and under your direct control at all times.

2. If your pet is scared by fireworks, ask a veterinarian for help
There are medications and techniques that might help alleviate your pet’s fear and anxiety. You can also try our suggestions for helping your dog cope with loud noises.

3. Protect your pet from heat stroke during summer festivities
Another reason to keep your pets away from the often noisy celebrations of summer is heat. High temperatures put your pet at risk of heat stroke, which can become deadly very quickly. Keep an eye on your pets and act immediately if you see any signs of heatstroke.
Never leave your pet in a parked car, even if the day doesn’t seem that warm. Even when the temperature outside is a balmy 72 degrees, the temperature inside your car can rocket to a fatal 116 degrees in less than an hour’s time.

4. Safeguard your pet with a collar and I.D. tag
All pets, even those kept indoors full-time, should always wear collars with ID tags. Indoor-only pets can become so frightened during fireworks displays that they may take desperate measures to escape the noise, including breaking through window or door screens. It’s also a good idea to have your pet microchipped. Microchipping is available at BrightSide for just $30. The time to microchip is NOW, before the holiday. Microchipping is available Tuesday-Thursday and Friday until 12 p.m.
If your pet does become lost, contact BrightSide and surrounding shelters immediately. Call BrightSide at 541-923-0882 and press #3 for lost animals. Although the shelter will be closed on July 4, our staff will be working, taking care of the animals, so your message will be received.

If you find a lost pet, either take her to the address on her tag or bring her to the local animal shelter so she can be reunited with her family."