Protect pets on the Fourth of July

WINDHAM COUNTY- As residents begin planning their Fourth of July celebrations, Windham County Humane Society is putting out a plea asking that animals be kept in mind, as there is often an increase of lost pets following the Fourth of July. Festivities 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, WCHS joins the Humane Society of the United States in recommending the following:
Leave pets at home and inside. Fireworks can be terrifying to pets, even pets who are accustomed to being around crowds and commotion.
Create a home sanctuary. Leave a 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 the 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 and microchip (make sure the chip is registered on a site such as www.petmicrochiplookup.org). You can purchase custom tags at the WCHS; proceeds support the shelter.
Consult a veterinarian for pets with anxiety. Consult a veterinarian before the Fourth of July to seek out remedies to lower a pet’s stress level if this is a known issue.
For more information contact Annie Guion at (802) 490-4734 or annie@windhamcountyhumane.org.