Keep Your Pets Safe This July 4th

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I want you to keep your pets safe this weekend. Back in the early 1980s I learned the hard way that more pets go missing over the Independence Day holiday than any other time of year. I had an adorable tabby named D.B. who was an indoor/outdoor cat. He disappeared the night of July 4th. I searched the neighborhood for months and no D.B. I was a new cat owner and simply didn’t know better. More than 30 years later, I still feel guilty.

For the most part, dogs and cats panic at the sight and sound of fireworks. Then there’s Independence Day “mischief.” People who believe it’s okay to commit acts of cruelty just because it’s a holiday. Seven years ago I cared for the most wonderful foster cat, Edwina (who later was renamed became Zeki by her new owner). Edwina was attacked by some maniac with a knife who tried to skin her alive. So please take a few steps to keep your pets safe this Independence Day.

Make sure your pets have ID tags, especially cats who go outside.

For added insurance, get your pet microchipped in case the collar is lost. Make sure the chip is registered with a national pet registry database.

Keep a photo of your cat or dog on your cell phone as proof of ownership. It will also be helpful if you ever have to make a lost pet poster.
Keep all pet inside July 4 night. Put your kitties in a quiet room with their litter box and food and water bowls.

Use a Comfort Zone® with Feliway® diffuser or a SENTRY® GOOD Behavior® Cat Calming Collar and/or plugin. Comfort Zone and SENTRY also make products for dogs.

If your pet is especially sensitive to the sounds of fireworks, talk to your vet about medication to keep him calm.

If you have have a party or guests, put a Do Not Open Door sign on the pets’ sanctuary.
When traveling over the July 4th weekend, board pets in a kennel or hire a petsitter to stay with them. Imagine how scary it would be to be home alone with fireworks going off nearby.

Even after 30 years I still cry about D.B. on July 4. Don’t make my mistake. Plan ahead and keep your pets safe.