The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Fourth of July The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Fourth of July
Showing posts with label Fourth of July. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fourth of July. Show all posts

Monday, July 4, 2016

July 4th Fireworks: Tips to Protect Your Dog or Cat from Jackson Galaxy, Pet Experts


The familiar cadence of "oohs" and "ahs" increases with each sizzle, pop and boom of a dazzling and people-pleasing Fourth of July fireworks display. Meanwhile, your cat or dog quivers, cowers or worst of all — runs away — due to the shock and stress of it all.

"Every muscle of a cat's body is primed for 'kill or be killed,' so its whole nervous system is always on alert," animal behaviorist Jackson Galaxy, host and executive producer of Animal Planet's "My Cat from Hell," told TODAY. "Now put yourself in their shoes when they hear fireworks."

"The Fourth really can be a scary day for all animals," said DogVacay pet expert Nicole Miller of the popular online pet-sitting community. "Owners may think their dog will be fine, but it's best to be prepared."

The terrified-pet scenario will repeat itself millions of times across the U.S. this Monday. In fact, according to the online lost-pet finder system PetAmberAlert.com, animal control officials nationwide expect to take in 30 to 60 percent more pets between July 4 and July 6 than normal. The holiday surge in lost animals strains a system that doesn't bode well for pets that go unclaimed at any time of the year.

"It's no myth that fireworks startle pets," Emily Weiss, vice president of research and development at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, told TODAY. A certified applied animal behaviorist, she said the nonprofit's own extensive research couldn't confirm such high numbers. However, when analyzing its own shelter statistics, ASPCA found a slight increase in dogs going into shelters during July, but not so for cats.

To read more on this story, click here: July 4th Fireworks: Tips to Protect Your Dog or Cat from Jackson Galaxy, Pet Experts

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Friday, July 1, 2016

Town of Collecchio, Italy: Made a Law that Fireworks Must be Silent


If you’re a dog owner, there’s probably one thing you dread about holidays like New Year’s Eve or the Fourth of July. Fireworks scare dogs. Imagine you have no idea what fireworks are. Suddenly you see bright lights and hear explosions coming from the sky. You’d be pretty terrified, too. Fireworks wreak havoc on animals, and vet visits skyrocket around holidays where fireworks are common. Dogs, with their sensitive hearing, are especially vulnerable, and many hurt themselves trying to escape or hide. They can run and risk getting lost hit by cars.

There’s no doubt that a stunning fireworks show can be the highlight of anyone’s night. The bright lights and explosions are mesmerizing, causing us to forget the negative effects of the fireworks themselves. Many pet parents understand the anxiety and stress loud fireworks have on animals, but these details are usually overlooked by event planners. However, one little town in Italy is finally putting a stop to the noise.

Collecchio, a small town of 14,000 people located in the province of Parma, is making headlines in the pet parent community. Recently, a bill has been passed to make the use of loud fireworks illegal, in hopes of reducing stress on household animals and livestock. The people of Collecchio were recognizing some of the more severe side effects of fireworks on animals, such as anxiety, disorientation, and in extreme cases, burns or eye damage. Chickens are also less likely to produce eggs after the stress of a fireworks, causing issues in the farming community.

Legislation in Collecchio now states that silent fireworks must be used for events, in replacement of noise making ones. The government is hopeful that this will reduce “acoustic stress” on the animals, without eliminating fireworks from events completely.




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Pet Fireworks Safety Tips


Animal shelters will take in more pets this weekend than any other time. Keep pets safe with these tips!


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Friday, July 3, 2015

Dogs and Fireworks Don’t Mix: Did You Know that More Pets Go Missing During the Fourth of July Weekend than Any Other Time of the Year?


Washington, DC – Flashing lights and loud booms may be exciting for some during the Fourth of July weekend, but for pets, it can be a nightmare.

The unfamiliar noise, rush of bright lights, swarms of people, strange smells and sometimes firework debris falling, can prove to be too much for your beloved pet, sending them leaping over, through or under the fence.

More pets go missing during the Fourth of July weekend than any other time of the year, according to the American Society for thePrevention of Cruelty to Animals. 

“Every year we see several more pets get loose and run the neighborhoods during the Fourth of July weekend,” Scott Giacoppo, chief of field’s services for Washington Humane Society, told WJLA in an interview.

“We anticipate this will happen and thus, have extra personnel and patrol staffed.”

Giacoppo went on to say that this situation isn’t much different than the reaction you would see with pets and thunder, but with fireworks, it can be nonstop.

Sadly, when pets run away in fear, they cause not only a safety threat for themselves, but also for others. Sometimes, pets run in front of cars, causing major accidents, unexpectedly being struck and killed.

Giacoppo said it is important to keep your pets inside, in a safe and secure location this holiday weekend, but if they are otherwise anxious, it may be worth talking to your vet about alternative solutions.

David Wright, dog trainer in Los Angeles, lists some dos and don’ts to keep your pet(s) safe, and your sanity:

DO
  • Get collar IDs and microchips.
  • Use a crate or keep animals in a room where they can't flee.
  • Crank up music or the television to mask the sound of fireworks.
  • Provide water and food: Fear makes dogs pant, and unfamiliar food makes them anxious.
  • Offer chewable toys or treats as a distraction.
DON'T
  • Take a pooch to see fireworks unless it's a noise-trained police K-9 or guide dog.
  • Leave them outside, where they jump or dig to escape the yard.
  • Approach dogs who look scared because they can attack.



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