Christ Yoder
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Fireworks can lead to an increase in the number of lost and injured animals.
Sheri Yingling, a retired veterinary technician and Lycoming Animal Protection Society board member and volunteer, noticed trends in missing pet posts on Facebook.
“You see a lot more lost animals announced” around July 4, Yingling said.
July 4 and 5 sees more missing animals than any other day of the year, according to the American Kennel Club.
Fireworks contain loud noises, strange smells, and flashing lights, all of which can scare animals. Pets can even injure themselves out of fear.
“Some dogs will jump out of the windows” Yingling said. “They can get hit by a car.
Problems also arise if escaped pets encounter wild animals. They can be sprayed by skunks, stung by porcupines, or fight with other wild or domestic animals, Yingling said.
“There are a lot of psychological problems linked to stress” Yingling said.
These problems show up primarily in dogs, Yingling said, but they can occur in most animals.
Pets may bark, whine, tremble, refuse to eat, or have gastrointestinal upset from the noises.
“Some of them… it’s almost like PTSD; it will continue for weeks afterwards ”, Yingling said.
If you know a fireworks show is coming up, like Williamsport’s Set the Night to Music Fireworks Extravaganza at 9:40 p.m. on July 4, there are some things you can do to make your pet look better. comfortable.
Make sure to secure all doors and windows before the fireworks start. Try crating your pet or moving them to an indoor room where they are quieter. Playing white noise, music, or TV can solve the noise problem.
Another good option is to distract your pet. Chewing can release endorphins, so giving your dog a new bone or a chew toy can help calm him down. Sitting quietly and petting your pet can also help with stress.
Yingling suggests making sure your pet is microchipped and / or has updated ID tags. Make sure you have a current photo of your pet in case you need to make posters if your pet escapes.
“It is always preferable that the owners are prepared” Yingling said.
