For immediate release:
June 23, 2021
Contact:
But back 202-483-7382
Sarasota, Florida. – As the fourth of July approaches, revelers are planning to watch fireworks, including illegal ones, that light up the sky, PETA is asking everyone to abandon the noisy pyrotechnics that make many dogs and cats run in panic, and follow its advice to keep animals safe. Every Independence Day (and any time the fireworks go away), animal shelters are seeing an increase in the number of lost animals that have run away from the noise and some are knocked down or killed in other ways… On July 4 in Sarasota, an 11-month-old puppy was fatally hit by a car after being frightened by a fireworks display and running off a leash. Hours later, her family found another free dog who had escaped from the fireworks and, fortunately, were able to reunite him with their guardians.
Humans can help protect animals by taking the following precautions:
- Keep cats and dogs indoors. Never leave animals on leashes or chains outside – they can hang themselves if they jump over the fence trying to escape the noise. Animals can also get hurt while trying to get out of the pen.
- Never take animals with you to watch fireworks! If you know in advance that there will be fireworks in your area, To stay home with your animals and try to calm them down.
- Close windows and curtains. To muffle sounds, turn on fans and air conditioners, and turn on the TV or radio tuned to a classical music radio station.
- Buy a ThunderShirt shirt to help your dog or cat deal with the stress of fireworks. Other ways to calm animals down is to play specially designed iCalmPet music and give them a natural supplement called melatonin, which you can buy at your local health food store. (Check with your veterinarian first.)
- Just in case, make sure your companion animal is microchipped and wears a collar or harness with an up-to-date ID tag.
- If it’s cold enough outside, take the dogs for a long walk or play in the dog park before the fireworks start to tire them out.
- If you witness someone setting up illegal fireworks, call the authorities immediately.
“For animals, fireworks really do sound like “bomb explosions,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA encourages everyone to dance, have fun and celebrate as they see fit – provided the festivities leave the animals alone.”
It’s not just animals that are affected: Veterans and other people with PTSD may be seriously concerned about the fireworks. By sharing PETA’s tips, you can make this holiday safer for everyone. The helpful PETA signs available here also highlight how frightening fireworks can scare pets! For more information visit PETA.org.