Putting Pet Safety First Over the 4th of July
For immediate release: July 1, 2015 Media contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724
Lansing – Every year Michigan families look forward to celebrating the Fourth of July with picnics, time on the Great Lakes and the traditional fireworks. However, the furry members of your family might not look forward to the holiday as much as you do.
Did you know more pets are lost or runaway around the Fourth of July than any other time of the year because of the anxiety loud noises cause?
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is asking pet owners to follow these simple tips from the American Veterinarian Medical Association to help put pet safety first over the holiday:
• Make sure your pets have identification tags with up-to-date contact information and consider talking to your veterinarian about micro-chipping your animals. • Keep pets indoors and leave them at home when attending firework displays, parades and gatherings. • Consider housing your pets in a crate or escape-proof area during the fireworks. • Avoid feeding your pets food intended for humans and keep charcoal out of reach. • Be conscious of the temperature, leaving your pets in vehicles can be dangerous as car interiors heat up quickly and pets can overheat while spending time outdoors.
Remember fireworks can also affect livestock and horses, make sure they are in a safe place and consider adding your identification to your horses’ halters. For more information, visit the AVMA’s website at http://bit.ly/AVMA_4thofJuly.
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