4th of July Tips From the SPCA
The McKean County SPCA offers holiday safety tips for pets this Independence Day.
“The celebrations that come with the 4th of July can cause some serious stress for pets,” says shelter manager Heidi Mackowski. “The loud noises, bright lights, and parties and cook-outs that are so much fun for humans are scary for many pets.”
In order to reduce stress for pets, Mackowski offers the following tips:
· Keep pets at home during fireworks celebrations. Public fireworks displays mean big crowds and scary noises for pets, so it’s best to leave them at home.
· Don't share holiday food and drinks with your pets. Alcohol and a lot of human foods are poisonous for animals. In addition, any changes in an animal's diet can cause digestive problems.
· Pets should be left indoors in a quiet, safe place. Frightened pets are more likely to run away from loud noises, even if it means running away from home. Carriers, crates, or quiet rooms are good choices for all pets to temporarily keep them contained during fireworks displays or loud gatherings.
· Make sure that pets have current identification tags on their collars. It’s more likely that a runaway animal can be reunited with its owners if it’s properly fitted with a tag.
· If you must take a pet outside during the fireworks or party, be sure to have a secure collar and leash on the animal, and be prepared for some nervousness.
· For smaller home fireworks displays and bonfires or campfires, practice good safety techniques and leave pets inside and away from the fire and smoke. Pets are curious and may try to sniff or eat fireworks or logs thrown into fires and can easily be burned.
· If your pet does escape during the festivities, remember to check all local shelters. Even if the pet isn’t there when you call, leave your information and a picture if you have one, because pets can be on the run for days.
The McKean County SPCA is a not-for-profit organization that is committed to providing care to abandoned animals and to alleviating suffering of animals in McKean County. The SPCA will make every attempt to place animals in an appropriate living environment.
Located at 80 Glenwood Avenue in Braford, the McKean County SPCA is open seven days a week. The shelter will be closed to the public on Independence Day.
“The celebrations that come with the 4th of July can cause some serious stress for pets,” says shelter manager Heidi Mackowski. “The loud noises, bright lights, and parties and cook-outs that are so much fun for humans are scary for many pets.”
In order to reduce stress for pets, Mackowski offers the following tips:
· Keep pets at home during fireworks celebrations. Public fireworks displays mean big crowds and scary noises for pets, so it’s best to leave them at home.
· Don't share holiday food and drinks with your pets. Alcohol and a lot of human foods are poisonous for animals. In addition, any changes in an animal's diet can cause digestive problems.
· Pets should be left indoors in a quiet, safe place. Frightened pets are more likely to run away from loud noises, even if it means running away from home. Carriers, crates, or quiet rooms are good choices for all pets to temporarily keep them contained during fireworks displays or loud gatherings.
· Make sure that pets have current identification tags on their collars. It’s more likely that a runaway animal can be reunited with its owners if it’s properly fitted with a tag.
· If you must take a pet outside during the fireworks or party, be sure to have a secure collar and leash on the animal, and be prepared for some nervousness.
· For smaller home fireworks displays and bonfires or campfires, practice good safety techniques and leave pets inside and away from the fire and smoke. Pets are curious and may try to sniff or eat fireworks or logs thrown into fires and can easily be burned.
· If your pet does escape during the festivities, remember to check all local shelters. Even if the pet isn’t there when you call, leave your information and a picture if you have one, because pets can be on the run for days.
The McKean County SPCA is a not-for-profit organization that is committed to providing care to abandoned animals and to alleviating suffering of animals in McKean County. The SPCA will make every attempt to place animals in an appropriate living environment.
Located at 80 Glenwood Avenue in Braford, the McKean County SPCA is open seven days a week. The shelter will be closed to the public on Independence Day.
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