Protect Your Pets on the Fourth of July

For immediate release: June 20, 2008
Contact: Karen Buchan, Animal Care & Control (561) 233-1280

Celebrating the Fourth of July is great fun, but for our pets it can be devastating.   Keep companion animals indoors, and help them feel safe during the Fourth of July celebration.  The following precautions are recommended:

• Leave your pet at home while you attend the festivities.
• Resist taking your pet with you and do not leave your pet in a car.  (Even with the windows open, temperatures are usually 15 degrees hotter in a vehicle.)
• Pets feel more secure at home; place your pets in a “safe room” with the television or radio on while you are out enjoying the celebration.
• Do not leave pets outdoors for any reason during the celebration hours;  noise and fireworks may cause animals to panic, escape, get lost and possibly become injured or entangled while trying to get away from the noise.
• Be sure dogs and cats are wearing current rabies license tags for identification and proof of current rabies vaccination; horses should have identification attached to their halter.
• Though the law states that dogs are not allowed to be tethered or chained between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., no animal should be chained after 5 p.m. during the holiday for fear of becoming entangled and severely injured trying to escape loud noises.
• If you do not want to leave your pet alone, ask friends or relatives to sit with your pet while you are away for the celebration.  Ask your veterinarian for a list of bonded and professional pet sitters.

If you would like more information about Palm Beach County animal laws, visit www.pbcgov.com/pubsafety/animal.