Urgent Tips to Share With Viewers: Keep Cats and Dogs Safe During Fireworks
Urgent Tips to Share With Viewers: Keep Cats and Dogs Safe During Fireworks
For Immediate Release:
July 1, 2013
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
Los Angeles Galaxy star Robbie Rogers stars in a new PETA video urging families to keep dogs and cats safe during fireworks, which you can also share with your viewers.
Fireworks are meant to represent “bombs bursting in air”—and to dogs and cats, that’s exactly what they sound like. When animals hear the cracks and booms in the sky on the Fourth of July, many of them panic and jump over fences, break chains, or even jump through glass windows in an effort to escape the terrifying sounds. Many animals who run in fear are never found: After fireworks displays, animal shelters nationwide report an increase in the number of lost cats and dogs, many of whom are found with bloody paws from running, torn skin from breaking through wooden fences, or other serious injuries. Some animals are hit by cars or killed in other ways as they flee.
PETA encourages people to take the following precautions to ensure the comfort and safety of their animal companions during fireworks:
- Keep cats and dogs indoors during fireworks displays, and if possible, stay with them.
- Leave your animals at home during the celebrations—never take them with you to watch fireworks displays!
- Never leave animals tethered or chained outside—they can hang themselves if they leap over a fence while trying to run from the noise.
- Close your windows and curtains. Turn on a radio that’s tuned to a classical-music station, or turn on the TV to help drown out the sound of the fireworks.
- Consider purchasing a Thundershirt to keep your dog or cat relaxed throughout the fireworks. Other ways to keep dogs and cats calm include specially formulated CDs from Through a Dog’s Ear and a natural supplement called melatonin that is available at your local health food store.
- Make sure that your animal companion is wearing a collar or a harness with an up-to-date identification tag—just in case.
For even more tips, visit PETA.org.
