The Escambia County Animal Shelter will host Tales for Tails, a public event open to anyone who would like to read to animal shelter pets during Independence Day fireworks shows. The event will be held on Thursday, July 4 from 7:30 -9:30 p.m.
Fourth of July can be a frightening time for pets. Reading and providing company to sheltered pets can help reduce the anxiety they feel when they hear loud, booming noises, such as fireworks and thunder.
At Tales for Tails, volunteers will only be allowed to read from outside of the kennels. There will be no adoptions, pets allowed out of kennels or pet admittance during the event.
Fireworks Safety Tips and Pets
- Pet safety is vital during the Fourth of July.
- Never take pets to a fireworks display; instead, keep them safe and secured at home.
- Make sure your pet has identification, such as a microchip or collar with an identification tag. Also, keep a county license on your pet and have a recent photo of your pet available in the event that it runs away.
- Do not leave your pet in the car while you watch a fireworks display. In only a matter of minutes, the heat in a car can cause serious health problems or even death. A stressed animal can also cause major damage to the interior of your car.
- Be mindful of hot asphalt and sand. Keeping your dog on hot asphalt or sand even for short periods of time can cause severe burns to the pads of their feet.
- Keep pets indoors. Turn on the TV or radio as a distraction and close the curtains.
- Never leave pets unattended outside, not even in a fenced yard or on a chain, if you are near a fireworks display or if your neighbors are lighting small fireworks. They may try to run away or become tangled up in their chain.
- Provide a pet bed or crate in a quiet place to create a small den-like atmosphere and a sense of security.
- If you must be outside with your pet, keep the pet on a leash or in a carrier at all times.
