TIPS TO KEEP PETS SAFE ON THE 4th of July

WENATCHEE- Despite the inability to gather in large groups this 
Fourth of
July, many are still planning a fun day of sunshine, barbeque, swimming,
and, of course, fireworks. However, not all of these activities are 
fun for
your furry family members, because many pets are frightened by 
fireworks.

Each year, Wenatchee Valley Animal Care and Control (ACC) sees a
significant rise in lost animals around the days leading up to the 
Fourth
of July and days immediately following the celebration, as pets 
escape from
homes, yards or kennels due to panic.

Dawn Davies, Executive Director for Wenatchee Valley Humane Society 
(WVHS),
reminds pet owners that a current pet license and identification tags 
is an
important part of reuniting lost pets and their owners. “Our licenses 
are
on *PetHub digital pet ID tags <https://www.pethub.com/>* and, as 
long as
the owner has registered the tag for free with PetHub, anyone can 
contact a
lost pet’s owner and help get them back home.”

Since the Fourth is ACC’s busiest day of the year, Davies says this is
extremely helpful for all involved. “These tags give community 
members the
ability to help reunite families, which means pets get home faster, 
without
ever having to come to the shelter.”

Davies notes that the Fourth is a holiday best celebrated with pets 
left at
home. “Not only is it a traditionally high temperature day, which can be
dangerous for animals, but it’s also a stressful day. Sudden loud noises
can cause even the friendliest, relaxed dog distress. And distress can
cause animals to react negatively or panic and run.”

WVHS offers the following tips for keeping your pet safe and stress-free
for on the Fourth:

    - Make sure pets are in a secure space with something soft to 
curl up to
    and music softly playing.
    - Secure doors and windows.
    - Do not bring pets to outdoor festivities where they cannot be 
secured
    and safe.
    - Ensure all tags or identification is up to date (Licenses 
should be
    registered with PetHub for free and profiles updated with any 
license
    renewals).
    - Take your pet for a nice walk or have play time. A tired pet, is a
    relaxed pet.

If your pet becomes lost or you find a lost pet, contact ACC to file a
report at 509.662.9577, opt. 1. Lost/Found reports can also be *filed
online <https://www.wenatcheehumane.org/tips-for-lost-found-pets>*, at
www.wenatcheehumane.org, where you can also view photos of lost/found 
pets.

If you’re looking for a missing pet, a visit to the shelter on July 
5th to
see if your pet was brought in by ACC or a concerned citizen, is also
recommended. WVHS is currently open by appointment and those 
interested in
visiting should call 509.662.9577, opt. 2 to schedule a time to come in.

*About WVHS*
Founded in 1967, the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society (WVHS) is a private
non-profit organization with a mission is to serve the community through
education, protection and pet adoptions. We continue our mission by 
caring
for displaced pets, rescuing injured and lost animals, providing a 
low cost
spay/neuter program, hosting a pet food assistance bank, offering a Pets
for Life program, investigating cruelties and finding homes for the
orphaned animals. If you would like to volunteer, donate, or more
information on how you can help, email wvhs@wenatcheehumane.org or call
(509) 662-9577.