St. Charles County Department of Community
Health & The Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 26, 2006

CONTACT:
Theresa Williams, Director, Division of Humane Services                                                   636-949-7387
Julie Burkemper, Public Health Information Officer                                                            636-949-7408

Keep Your Pets Safe This July 4th Weekend

St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center Offers Pet Safety Tips for Independence Day

St. Charles County -  The July 4th holiday weekend is just around the corner and fireworks are being sold on every corner. Many pets are frightened and panicked by the loud noises from fireworks and in response they will run away trying to get away from the noises. Area animal shelters always experience increased impounds right after the 4th of July due to loud fireworks displays.

The largest threat will be on the 4th, when the big fireworks displays start, however, many people are already setting off firecrackers and rockets now. If your dog or cat is sensitive to these loud noises don’t take chances. Protect your pets. Follow these simple steps: Keep your pet secured indoors, even the best behaved dog will jump fences when scared and cats will run away to hide. In their panic, normally friendly animals may try to bite. Many will run into traffic or run long distances.

1. If you already know that your dog or cat is afraid of loud noises, take extra precautions. Put your animals in pet crates and put them in a dark room with the door closed. Panicky animals may hurt themselves or damage property when not securely confined.
2. If your dog is normally kept outside, put him or her inside the garage.
3. Don’t assume your pet won’t react because you haven’t had problems in the past; many animals develop sensitivity later in life.
4. Make sure your pets are wearing an identification tag and/or microchip. Cats can wear an ID tag safely, when it’s attached to a break-away collar.

St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center will microchip pets for $10.00. Call 636-949-PETS (7387) for more information. If you love your pets, protect them and keep them home with your family. Give them a safe place during the 4th of July Holiday.
The St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center serves St. Charles County through sheltering and adopting animals, providing pet owner education, animal control services, and investigation of incidents involving animal cruelty and neglect. Visit the Pet Adoption Center at 4850 Mid Rivers Mall Drive or online at www.scchealth.org.

- ### -

[GO BACK]