Fireworks, backyard barbecues, and Fourth of July celebrations can be fun for people, but they can also create serious risks for pets. Local animal advocates are reminding owners to take a few simple precautions before the holiday to help keep their animals safe.
The SPCA of Northern Nevada is encouraging pet owners to make sure their pets' registration, identification tags, and microchip information are current before the holiday.
The shelter also recommends staying home with pets that have severe fear or anxiety around fireworks whenever possible, or keeping them in a secure, safe place during celebrations.
If you're inviting friends or family over, the shelter advises keeping doors and other exits closed and asking guests to watch for pets that may try to slip outside. Creating a comfortable space indoors with treats, toys, and white noise, such as a television, can also help reduce stress during fireworks.
The shelter is also reminding people to keep potentially toxic substances out of pets' reach, including alcohol, lighter fluid, cannabis products, and citronella candles.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says fireworks and other Fourth of July festivities can frighten animals, causing them to run away, while holiday foods, hot weather and debris left behind after celebrations can also create safety hazards for pets.
The association recommends leaving pets at home instead of bringing them to fireworks shows, parades or parties, keeping them indoors during fireworks, and checking yards after celebrations for fireworks debris, food scraps and other hazardous items before allowing pets back outside.
The AVMA also recommends making sure pets have updated identification and microchip information, taking a current photo of pets in case they become lost, and talking with a veterinarian if a pet has a history of severe anxiety during fireworks. Pet owners are also reminded never to leave pets in parked cars during warm weather because temperatures inside cars can rise quickly.
The SPCA of Northern Nevada is also encouraging people to be prepared in case a pet goes missing. Anyone who finds a lost pet should take it to Washoe County Regional Animal Services. People searching for a lost pet can visit www.washoeanimals.com or call 775-353-9800.
