IndyHumane Encourages Pet Owners to Act with Care on Independence Day

As residents begin planning their Fourth of July celebrations, we ask that animals be kept in mind, as there is often an increase of lost pets following the holiday.

Celebrations for the holiday often include fireworks and other commotion, which can be stressful to pets or result in them getting lost. For the safety and protection of pets, IndyHumane recommends the following:

▪ Leave pets at home and inside. Fireworks can be terrifying to pets, even those who are accustomed to being around crowds and commotion.

▪ Create a home sanctuary. Leave your pet in an area of the home where he or she is safe, comfortable and sheltered from any outside noise and lights. An interior room without

immediate access to the outside is preferred. Playing a radio with relaxing music may help mask the sound of fireworks.

▪ Pet-proof your home. When scared, some animals may become destructive so be sure to remove anything from reach that can become damaged or may harm the pet if chewed or eaten.

▪ Identification is essential. Pets may panic, escape and become lost. Updated identification is critical to ensuring lost pets are reunited with their families. Ideal identification is both a

tag on their collar and microchip (make sure your chip is registered and your contact information is updated on a site such as www.petmicrochiplookup.org).

▪ Consult a veterinarian for pets with anxiety. Consult your veterinarian before the Fourth of July to seek out remedies to lower your pet’s stress level if this is a known issue.