The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Animal Care & Control Division is reminding pet owners that it’s once again the time of year we hear fireworks, firecrackers and thunder from summer storms.
Please be mindful of how this affects your pets as the Fourth of July holiday approaches and summer thunderstorms and heat waves roll through our region. Last year approximately 17 dogs were brought in as strays (running loose) in the two days following the Fourth of July holiday. Out of the dogs that were reclaimed by their owners, nearly half the owners stated that their dog was frightened by fireworks.
The American Humane Society states that July 5th is the busiest day of the year at animal shelters. Dogs are found miles from their homes, confused, disoriented, and exhausted. According to the organization, people call hoping to locate a missing dog that, terrified, crashed through a window, jumped a high fence, or broke its leash or chain.
Animal Care & Control advises that you secure your pet in an area of your home where it feels safe and secure. This will help avoid unnecessary stress on your pet or possible injury and accidental escape.
If your pet is easily upset by common sounds such as a door slamming or other loud noises, consider consulting with your vet for a sedative* prior to the Fourth of July.
If your pet is easily upset by common sounds such as a door slamming or other loud noises, consider consulting with your vet for a sedative* prior to the Fourth of July.
Some animals become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you’ve removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if it were chewed or consumed. Leaving a radio or television on at normal volume may help to provide your pet companionship.
In any case, make sure your pets are wearing identification or microchipped so they can be returned if they do get lost. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the Animal Care & Control at 8315 Byrum Drive in Charlotte, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.
Animal Care & Control recommends microchipping your pet. It’s permanent identification for your pet. All of our Animal Care & Control Trucks are equipped with microchip scanners and every animal we pick up is immediately scanned for a microchip. If a chip is located the animal can be returned home immediately, without having to come to the shelter. Animal Care & Control also encourages everyone who has a pet that’s microchipped to register your pet in our local database for FREE.
To register online go to http://www.cmpd.org/ and click Animal Care & Control, then click the programs and services tab. Lastly, to look for a lost pet, first check the lost pets section on our website. We also suggest coming to the shelter to walk through our stray kennels.
This article was contributed by Melissa Knicely of CMPD Animal Care & Control.
*Dog Reporter adds: Rescue Remedy is an over the counter calming agent made from natural herbs. It is a safe alternative to giving your pet a stronger sedative prescribed by a veterinarian. I have used it for my Akita/Border Collie mix as she is anxious about riding in cars. (She prefers to be the one doing the herding and enjoys safely escorting all the cars that pass by our corner lot from inside our fenced in yard ) Anyway, I plan to give her a dose late in the afternoon of the "Big Boom" day as she is already hiding in the laundry room at the sound of the few scattered fireworks our neighbors have been setting off early. Rescue Remedy is available at area pet stores such Pawtique in Charlotte's Ballantyne area and The Natural Market Place in the Arboretum Shopping Center.
*Dog Reporter adds: Rescue Remedy is an over the counter calming agent made from natural herbs. It is a safe alternative to giving your pet a stronger sedative prescribed by a veterinarian. I have used it for my Akita/Border Collie mix as she is anxious about riding in cars. (She prefers to be the one doing the herding and enjoys safely escorting all the cars that pass by our corner lot from inside our fenced in yard ) Anyway, I plan to give her a dose late in the afternoon of the "Big Boom" day as she is already hiding in the laundry room at the sound of the few scattered fireworks our neighbors have been setting off early. Rescue Remedy is available at area pet stores such Pawtique in Charlotte's Ballantyne area and The Natural Market Place in the Arboretum Shopping Center.
Have a Happy Fourth of July!
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