BEND, OR -- Fourth of July can be fun and exciting for families, but it’s often stressful for pets. Loud noises associated with fireworks can cause dogs to run away from home, so it’s important to make sure their license and tags are up to date. "Make sure you have a microchip identification, as well," Says Lynne Ouchida, with the Humane Society of Central Oregon. "Fourth of July, surrounding it – three days out and five days following the fourth – are our busiest days at the Humane Society."
She tells KBND News, "All the neighborhood fireworks are going to start; I’ve heard they’re going off in some areas already. This weekend is probably going to be bad, that’s when dogs start getting scared." But, she says there are things you can do to prepare your animals. "Especially if you have a new dog that hasn’t experienced Fourth of July, make sure you make it a fun, positive experience. Start training them to not be afraid, expose them slowly, play ball with them, give them treats; but absolutely critical is check for identification."
