BROWARD COUNTY, FL – The upcoming Fourth of July holiday is marked by all kinds of celebrations, activities and food that can be fun for your family, but dangerous for your pets. Broward County Animal Care offers some important tips to ensure that your pet stays safe.
Pet owners need to remember that the Fourth of July can be stressful and scary for cats and dogs. The best place for your pets will be inside the home away from firework displays, explosives, barbeque grills and lighter fluid. Often pets become scared due to the loud noise from fireworks, and can easily become burned, poisoned or injured from grills, matches and lighter fluid used during holiday festivities.
Most importantly, protect your pet in case it wanders away from home. Be sure it's wearing a Broward County pet license tag on a secure collar. If your pet has a microchip, ensure that the microchip is registered to your name, current address, and phone number. Rabies vaccinations, license tags and microchips, are available, by appointment only, at the shelter’s Rabies Clinic.
Additionally, if your pet is lost, do not delay! Search your neighborhood, place “Lost Pet” flyers in your community, and check our Lost Pet listing on our website. Historically, frightened runaway pets are a frequent side effect of noisy July 4th celebrations. Every year fireworks can cause an alarming uptick in lost pets.
TOP FIVE JULY 4TH SAFETY TIPS FOR PETS:
- Keep your pet away from fireworks and loud noises.
- Keep your pet safely away from hot grills, charcoal and lighter fluid.
- Do not feed your pet “people food” or alcohol.
- Sunscreen, insect repellent and citronella candles and oil can be harmful to your pet. If your pet ingests a poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian right away or the Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. The Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Protect your pet! Ensure it's wearing a Broward County license tag and that a microchip, if any, is registered with your current contact information.
Don’t have a pet? Then consider adopting a dog or cat this week. Not only does adoption provide the gift of a forever home, but it also helps to empty kennels in the Adoption Center and open much needed space in case lost pets do come in following the holiday weekend. See adoptable pets.
DATE: June 29, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Mendheim, Program Coordinator
Animal Care and Adoption Division
PHONE: 954-359-1010
EMAIL: lmendheim@broward.org