Humane Society: Fireworks will frighten pets

By Sarah Stultz | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Thursday, July 2, 2009

Though children and adults typically like the bright lights and loud bangs of the Fourth of July fireworks, the same is not necessarily true for pets.

For this reason, people should be cautious with their animals during fireworks displays and maybe even have them confined in a building, said Christy Forman, secretary of the Freeborn County Humane Society.

Though it may seem natural to bring along a pet to a fireworks show, it’s probably not the best idea. The display can affect pets in a different way than it does for humans.

When fireworks go off, dogs typically pant and pace back and forth, Forman said.

“They will look anxious and whine. You will be able to tell that there is something wrong if you know your animals,” she said.

The dogs affected the most are the ones that are outside and not confined in kennels or tied up, she said. They will become panicky and try to run away.

Forman said one year she had a dog end up in her neighborhood after it ran into town because of the noise.

“If the dogs could be kept secured or preferably inside as far away from the noise as possible, they will be more likely able to make it through the evening,” she said.

Cats are also affected by the fireworks but not as much as dogs, she noted. They will just be very jumpy and anxious.

To avoid these behaviors, people should keep their pets either inside if those pets are used to being outside or else put in a room that is farther away from the direction of the fireworks. Pet owners should reassure their pets that they are not alone, Forman said.

In previous years after fireworks displays many dogs end up in the Albert Lea Animal Shelter because they’ve become so frightened by the fireworks, she said. Last year she heard that the kennels were so full, dogs had to be tied up in the alley ways between the kennels.

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