Keep your pets safe this July 4

The Flathead County Animal Shelter wants pet owners to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday while keeping their pets safe and secure.

The fireworks that thrill people can drive pets, especially dogs, into a state of utter panic.

The explosions (even miles away), the high-pitched swoosh of rockets and the flashes of light can all be overwhelming sensory assaults.

If your pet is terrified of fireworks, you probably know the signs: cowering, trembling, hiding or appearing disoriented. Some dogs become so frightened they can crash through screen doors, jump out windows or leap fences.

Every year, animal shelters have their hands full dealing with lost dogs that bolted on July 4, cats that have gone missing and anxious owners looking for them. Some lost pets are never recovered.

There are ways to make July 4 safer and less stressful for pets. Keep your pet inside as much as possible on July 4 (and for a few days before and after if your pet is extremely phobic about fireworks). If you find a stray animal, keep it with you until your local animal shelter is open and ready to receive them.

The Flathead County Animal Shelter urges pet owners to follow the suggestions below to ensure their pets will not run off.

• Make sure all pets, even indoor-only cats, are wearing collars with identification tags. A Flathead County Dog License’s owner information can be accessed 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. A microchip is also a good idea. Terrified animals will become confused and disoriented. They may end up miles from home or deep under a neighbor’s porch. This simple precaution will save a lot of anguish, time and energy.

• Walk dogs in the early evening, well before nightfall, to prevent undue stress from noisy fireworks.

• During neighborhood fireworks displays, keep all pets safely inside. Dogs and cats that are agitated should be put into a bathroom or other room with no windows, with the door secure. Soft, instrumental music or “white noise” can be calming. Screen doors will not keep in a charging dog. Do not take a dog to watch a large, commercial fireworks display. This only increases the chances of it becoming lost in an unfamiliar area.

• In extreme cases, check with your veterinarian about tranquilizers.

• If your pet becomes lost during the holiday (or at any time) check the shelter or call the shelter at 752-1310.