As families across Chula Vista prepare for Fourth of July celebrations, local animal welfare officials are reminding pet owners that the holiday is one of the busiest times of year for animal shelters.

According to Ashley Milo, director of Animal Services for the city of Chula Vista, fireworks and holiday gatherings often result in an increase in lost pets as frightened animals attempt to escape from unfamiliar noises and stressful situations.

“The Fourth of July festivities include fireworks, parties, cookouts, and other stressful events for pets,” Milo said. “Fireworks are a common fear and anxiety-inducing noise that causes many pets to seek safety. Often, families are out enjoying the shows or at a cookout or party, leading the pet to seek safety via escape, even if it means breaking through a window.”

The problem can be compounded when fireworks continue throughout an entire holiday weekend rather than just on July 4.

“On average, we take in about 80 dogs in the week following Fourth of July festivities,” Milo said. “This is around double normal weekly intakes.”

Animal Services officials said some of the most common mistakes pet owners make before holiday celebrations include failing to ensure pets are wearing collars and identification tags, neglecting to update microchip information, leaving pets outdoors, and not preparing for animals that are known to be fearful.

ID A Must
Milo stressed that identification is critical if a pet becomes lost.

“Collars with ID tags allow neighbors to quickly reunite lost pets,” she said. “This includes the microchip tag. ID tags on a collar are the fastest way to reunite pets. Microchips can be scanned at a vet or shelter, and the pet parent contacted.”

However, she noted that many pet owners misunderstand what microchips do.

“It is important to note that microchips are NOT GPS,” Milo said. “They cannot provide you with the location of your pet and require the pet to be scanned by a reader at the vet or shelter.”

To reduce the risk of pets escaping, Milo recommends that owners begin preparing before the holiday arrives. For pets that may need medication, she suggests making veterinary appointments early because veterinarians can be booked for weeks.

Additional recommendations include purchasing a Thunder Jacket or other anxiety-relieving clothing, keeping pets indoors, turning on a television or radio to help diminish the sound of fireworks, ensuring doors and windows remain closed, and providing extra exercise later in the day.

“Do not take pets to places where fireworks are expected,” Milo said. “Take them potty early to avoid being outside during the fireworks.”
If an animal becomes frightened during a fireworks display, owners should stay with their pet in a dark indoor space with calming music or the television on, while providing distractions such as puzzle toys, calming treats, or pheromone sprays.

Don’t Wait
Above all, Milo encourages residents not to wait until the last minute.

“Prepare early,” she said. “As the old saying goes, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ In this case, prevention can save your pet’s life.”

For more information about pet safety and services, visit the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility.