BEND, OR-- The Humane Society of Central Oregon asks pet owners to take steps to keep dogs and cats safe from loud fireworks on the Fourth. Lynne Ouchida suggests keeping pets inside, "In an interior room, with the TV on, music on, with you sitting with them- that’s the safest and best place." She tells KBND News, "A lot of people think, ‘oh, they’re in the fenced yard.’ But, a lot of times, people don’t realize what a frightened dog can do and what they can get out of. And please don’t tie them up; they can get tangled up as they get stressed and frantic." Ouchida says even if your dog doesn’t mind fireworks, you should resist the urge to take them with you to big shows at Pilot Butte or the fairgrounds, "A dog that may not be afraid of fireworks right now, if they experience loud, really close fireworks that frightens them at that moment in time, that dog can absolutely develop a fear."

And, she encourages pet owners to make sure ID tags and microchips have your current contact information, so you can be reunited if your pet does get out. Most shelters and vets will do a courtesy scan of your pet to check microchip data. 

"The week surrounding the Fourth of July is the Humane Society’s busiest week of the year," says Ouchida, "So, in preparation for that, we’re making sure that we’ve got all the strays reunited with their families so that we’re creating open space here for any dogs that arrive. Unfortunately, we have a lot of strays that have not been reclaimed." Ouchida says if your pet is missing, please check with the Bend shelter. 

Other tips from HSCO:

• Current identification tags on your pet(s) ensures a safe and quick return. Immediately report lost and found animals to the Humane Society of Central Oregon at 541.382.3537. 
• Consider getting away from the fireworks to a quiet area in the mountains or desert. 
• If your dog or cat is extremely fearful, consult your veterinarian before the fireworks begins. 
• Keep pets away from all fireworks to prevent burns, hearing loss or eye damage.  Safely dispose of spent fireworks.  If eaten, they may cause digestive problems.
• Resist the urge to take your dog to Fourth of July celebrations where it will be too hot to leave your dog in the car and your dog may not be welcome.
• 4^th of July gatherings can be stressful for a pet. Doors and gates left open allow pets to escape.
• If you plan to go away for the weekend, identify your animal(s) with the phone number of the pet sitter or kennel. Make sure a pet sitter reports and reclaims your pet immediately at the Humane Society if lost.
• Keep your veterinarian’s and the emergency clinic’s phone numbers handy in case of an emergency.
• The Humane Society of Central Oregon rents crates for only $5 a month to keep our pet safe and secure and sells Thundershirts, custom pet ID tags and provides free temporary tags.