Sacramento County’s Bradshaw Animal Shelter is asking the public to help keep shelter pets calm during Fourth of July fireworks. The loud pops, bangs and whistles that are associated with the holiday can cause much distress to pets in and out of the shelter. The public is invited to sit, sing, read or softly play a calming musical instrument during the festivities.
“All of the noises caused by celebrations are really terrifying for the animals and they don’t understand what is happening,” said Celeste Ingrid, program coordinator for the Bradshaw Animal Shelter. “The human voice can be a very powerful tool for calming animals down.”
Registration is required online, and individuals and groups up of to five people are invited to sign up. Teens 12 and older are welcome, but an adult must accompany each child (Example: two children in a family must have two adults as well).
While pets in the shelter are being comforted, don’t forget about your pets at home.
Pet Safety
- Many pets are terrified by the sound of fireworks which can cause them to flee or become destructive to get away from the sound
- Keep pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area or run the TV or music to drown out outside sounds
- Remove any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful if chewed
- If you know that your pet is distressed by loud noises, consult with your veterinarian in advance
- Be sure your pets are wearing identification tags, are microchipped and are licensed with updated information to help with their prompt return
- For more tips, visit the Bradshaw Animal Shelter’s Pet Owner Safety Tips website
Lost Pets
If your pet escapes during the Fourth of July weekend, the Bradshaw Animal Shelter has some tips for helping to bring them home quickly:
- If your pet is microchipped, call the microchip company to let them know that your pet is missing. The company can then set up some sort of alarm for the pet.
- Check all accommodations, websites and social media, and not just those in your area. Dogs in particular can run far when they are scared.
- Contact shelters for up-to-date information on animals in their care.
- Hang flyers or post on social media pages and apps to get the word out. Sites like Nextdoor and Facebook are good local resources to tap into.
- Talk to your neighbors.
- Ask your postal person. They may have seen your pet during deliveries in your area.
Waived Owner Redemption Fees
Did you know July 5 is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters across the country due to lost pets? To help reunite pets with their owners and to help lessen the impact, the Bradshaw Animal Shelter is currently waiving owner redemption fees until July 15, 2022.
For a list of lost and found pet resources, including a list of pets currently at the Bradshaw Animal Shelter, visit
animalcare.saccounty.gov.
