Humane Society offers tips to keep pets safe during Fourth of July fireworks

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — As Americans celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday with fireworks and festivities, animal experts are reminding pet owners to take extra precautions to keep their pets safe and calm.

The Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society says loud fireworks can be frightening for animals, even those that typically aren’t bothered by occasional loud noises.

“This time of year, we hear it all the time: ‘My animal isn’t scared of loud noises,’” said Lorri Hare, director of the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society. “They may not be scared of one or two loud noises, but when it’s constant, it can become very dangerous.”

Hare said frightened pets may shake, bark excessively or even try to escape from their homes or fenced yards.

To help reduce anxiety, the Humane Society recommends keeping pets indoors before fireworks begin and creating a calm, familiar environment. Leaving televisions or radios on can help mask the sound of fireworks, and owners should close doors and windows to reduce noise.

“Leave some sort of sound barrier on,” Hare said. “Keep your doors and windows closed, and don’t just do it in one room. Animals have much more sensitive hearing than we do.”

Hare also recommends giving pets access to a quiet space away from windows, where they are less likely to see or hear the fireworks.

“Many dogs like to stay in a bathroom, even in a bathtub or shower,” Hare said. “Those areas can help them feel more secure. If you can hear the fireworks, I promise your pet heard them before you did.”

The Humane Society also encourages pet owners to make sure their animals are wearing updated identification tags and have current microchip information.

Staff members say the Fourth of July is one of the busiest times of the year for lost pets, making proper identification especially important if an animal becomes frightened and runs away.