Peninsula Humane Society Shares July 4 Pet Tips

SAN MATEO, CA — Animal welfare experts are urging Peninsula families to take a few steps this Independence Day to help ensure their pets stay safe and minimally perturbed by the holiday celebrations.

As fireworks erupt, the loud sounds can frighten unattended pets and send them running for safety.

"Like many shelters across the nation, we receive numerous animals at our facility who flee out of fear with sounds associated with the 4th of July," said Buffy Tarbox, a spokesperson for the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. "Dogs can become so scared they break through fences and gates fleeing their yards, become lost and are brought into our shelter as strays. They arrive scared and often with minor injuries such as cuts on their paws."

Here are a few tips from PHS/SPCA to help keep pets safe this July 4:

• If attending any gatherings that involve firework displays, don’t take pets.
• While at home, keep pets inside a room in the house and make sure blinds or drapes are drawn. Leave a TV, radio or fan on to drown out the fireworks noise.
• Make sure pets have current identification and/or a microchip. This permanent form of identification -- implanted just under the animal’s skin -- will ensure the animal can be identified even if their collar is missing.
• If you know from past experiences that your pet will have severe anxiety caused by fireworks, talk to your veterinarian about giving your pet a mild tranquilizer.
• If you lose your companion animal in San Mateo County, please visit PHS/SPCA at 12 Airport Blvd in San Mateo on July 5th. This process must happen in person, as staff cannot positively identify animals over the phone. You can also view lost animals at PHS/SPCA at www.phs-spca.org/lost-domestic/ but it’s best to come to the shelter in person during open hours 11 am to 7 pm.