March 29, 2024

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cats in shelter

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For most Americans, the 4th of July means parades, events, potato salad, and patriotism. But America’s birthday means one thing fairly completely different to animal shelters throughout the nation.

While you’re out taking pictures off bottle rockets and capping off celebrations at a fireworks present, shelter consumption facilities and metropolis animal management officers are prepping for July fifth — what’s yearly the busiest day of the yr for shelter intakes.

Why is the day after Independence Day so busy at animal shelters? And what does it imply in your pets? Here’s what you need to know.

Why Shelters Are So Busy On July fifth

Donna Reynolds, director of an animal advocacy group primarily based in Oakland, CA explains that pets are sometimes so petrified of fireworks that they run away from dwelling.

“They escape by way of gates, doorways, and even home windows,” she says. “And as a result of they’re scared, they head for the hills, actually, and run as quick as they will till they’re fully misplaced.”

Riverside County Animal Services in Riverside, CA stories that the Independence Day vacation yields some fairly grim statistics for his or her division. In solely the few days earlier than and after the vacation, they often absorb hundreds of canines — each alive and, tragically, useless.

Officers take away a whole lot of useless canines and cats from roadways of their cities on the fifth of July. They speculate that the pets, frightened by loud fireworks and firecrackers, escaped from houses and backyards and onto busy streets.

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“We’d prefer to see these horrible numbers begin to downtrend,” says Riverside County Animal Services Director Robert Miller, “however the actuality is that we’re nonetheless seeing far too many strays and, even worse, individuals’s useless pets.”

Hayward Animal Services shelter Administrator Jennie Comstock says that the excessive variety of intakes at their shelter forces the group to hunt assist from rescue teams and native SPCA chapters.

“Last yr, we bought twice as many animals coming in on July 5 as we did the day earlier than,” Comstock says.

Keep Your Cat Safe This Year!

Photo taken in Los Angeles, United States

(Picture Credit: Sabine Rieg / EyeEm/Getty Images)

We definitely don’t need to cease individuals from celebrating the 4th of July with family and friends!

Before you set in your stars-and-stripes cowboy hat and be part of your buddies for beer and bratwurst on the 4th of July celebration, just remember to are taking the correct precautions to maintain your kitty secure this vacation:

  • Keep your cats confined inside your home in a cool, snug, and safe room.
  • Do not let your cats roam exterior and positively don’t convey them to fireworks shows and enormous events — they may get spooked by the loud noises and bolt.
  • Try leaving the tv, radio, or white noise machine on to offer some background noise. This might muffle a number of the startling bangs and booms from the celebrations exterior.
  • Make positive that your cat’s license, identification tags, and microchip data are up-to-date within the occasion that they handle to flee. Also, have a present photograph of your cat available, which might turn out to be useful if you must make a “misplaced cat” flyer.
  • If you understand that even when your cat is safe inside, they’re extraordinarily frightened by loud noises, seek the advice of your veterinarian about drugs and dietary supplements that may assist calm down your kitty. And if all else fails, keep dwelling from the events and maintain and eye in your feline in particular person. Nothing is extra comforting than mother or dad’s presence.
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Are you protecting your cat secure this 4th of July? Does it shock you to listen to what number of pets find yourself at shelters after the vacation? Let us know within the feedback beneath!

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Source cattime.com