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 Animal Aid Thrift Shop

15th & Harvard

Hours

Mon - Fri 9 - 5 Saturday 9 - 4
Sunday closed

Open Late Thursdays
 

 

 

The Fourth of July is No Party for Animals

 

 Imagine being caught in the center of a raging battlefield with deafening guns, cannons, and fire all roaring and exploding around you – and no where to run, no where to hide, no where to escape from your fear.  That’s what the Fourth of July is like for your pet.  Fireworks and animals don’t mix. 

“Dogs can become so panicked that they’ll do a lot of things they ordinarily would not do,” says Dr. Connie Wright, veterinarian.  “They take off running from the noise and find they can’t get away from it, so they become even more frightened,” she says.  “Even a small to medium-sized dog can run a couple of miles until he just can’t keep going.  A lot of them get hit on the street.  “If they’re left outside in the yard, some will chew through chain link, or jump a fence that they’ve never even tried to do before.” 

 Here are some guidelines to help keep your dog or cat safe and secure during the noisy nights surrounding the July 4th celebration:

  •  Bring the animal inside the house to a room without an exterior door.

  •  Give him a blanket or his own bed to burrow inside and hide.

  •  Talk to your veterinarian about sedatives for dogs who react to loud noises such as thunderstorms.

  •  If the dog must go outside briefly, walk him on a leash, even while in a fenced yard.

  •  Be sure the animal’s collar fits properly. You should be able to slip two fingers under it. If the collar is too loose, a panicked animal could catch it on something and get injured or choke.

  •  Be sure identification tag information is current. Some retail stores, such as Animal Aid's Thrift Shop, carry pet i.d. tags which you can inscribe.

  • New technology allows GPS tracking for your pet should they get out of the yard. See GlobalPetfinder.com

  •  Have a current, good quality photo of your pet for use on a flyer, if you must circulate “lost pet” information in the neighborhood. Print flyers on colorful paper and distribute to neighbors, veterinarians, grocery stores, and any other outlets which allow posting.  Check the City of Tulsa animal shelter daily, in person.  Additionally, Animal Aid of Tulsa keeps a list of reported lost animals.

 “A lot of animals are afraid of loud noises, so plan ahead to protect them during the Fourth,” Dr. Wright advises. “It’s also a time of year when we see  animals getting shot because people think they can get away with it since the Fourth of July sounds like a lot of gunfire.   “At our house, we bring our animals inside and keep them there until a day or two after the holiday.”