2009.06.26
Some critters don't have a blast on the 4th of July
Fourth of July rituals at the Nelson household include: Firing up the grill. Icing down the beer. Inviting over friends. Comforting the dog.
While we humans enjoy the sparkle and glitter of fireworks, many pets, including my greyhound Coral, just hate the loud, sustained booming sounds. She has no idea what that racket is, but she wants nothing to do with it and usually seeks refuge in our bedroom closet. Last year we gave her an herbal elixir called Rescue Remedy, and while it seemed to help, she is still no fan of July 4th mayhem.
Having seen enough fireworks in my life, I don't mind keeping my anxious pooch company, although I usually just watch TV on the chair in the bedroom while she hunkers down among the shoes. While Coral finds solace in her safe place, many pets go into an all-out panic during the explosive sky light show and can hurt themselves or others or escape into the darkness.
If your pet has a history of fireworks freak-outs, or this is the first Independence Day with your pet and you don't know what to expect, here are some tips from the Roanoke Valley SPCA to keep everyone safe during the holiday:
• Keep your animals inside the house in a secure room where they can not break through a window or dart out the door. If your animal is crate trained and you will not be home, keep your pet in his crate - he will be safer and happier in "his room".
• Play soothing music or turn the TV on to a "pet friendly" station. This will help mask the sounds from outside and keep your pet calm and happy while you are gone.
• Make sure your animal is wearing a collar with current ID tags. Microchips are also very important because collars can be taken off or lost. Most important is that any type of identification have up to date names, addresses and phone numbers.
In the event that your pet does escape, post a lost pet report with your local animal control facility. For residents of the City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, Botetourt County and the Town of Vinton, the Regional Center for Animal Control & Protection (RCACP), located at 1510 Baldwin Avenue, Roanoke, is the entity handling lost or stray animals from those communities. If your pet becomes lost, you could post a lost pet report on the RCACP Web site (www.rcacp.org) and also view photos of lost or strayed animals that are currently at the facility.
You would also want to contact the microchip company with whom your pet is registered IMMEDIATELY.
• Time is critical when an animal becomes lost and is even more critical when there are extra stimuli (i.e. loud noises from fireworks) that produce fear. When an animal is frightened it is more likely to run farther distances (the fight-or-flight syndrome) and is less likely to be social with strangers, making it more difficult to catch.
• If your animal remains lost for more than 12 hours begin putting up flyers with a thorough description of your pet and a current photo. Also include the following information on the flyer:
1. Date and time lost.
2. Owner name, phone number, and area of town last seen (be specific).
3. If possible, offer a "REWARD" but do not state the amount.
4. Color of collar and types of tags that the animal is wearing.
5. Microchip number, if applicable.
6. Complete description of your pet: breed(s), hair color, eye color(s), length of tail (especially if unusual length for the breed), sex (altered or unaltered), any distinguishing marks (i.e. that freckle beside his nose or the heart shaped mark on her paw).
Be sure to circulate the flyers to the humane society in your area, the RVSPCA, the animal control facility, veterinary offices, your neighbors, local stores, and any other high traffic areas. Keep in mind that animals can travel great distances when frightened, so expand your outreach efforts beyond your immediate area.
• Most important DO NOT LOSE HOPE and stay in contact with these organizations. Check the RCACP Web site often as they post photos of lost or stray animals at their facility. Your beloved companion is relying on your tenacity to bring him home!
If you have any questions or concerns, call 540.344.4840 or email mail@rvspca.org.
