Things To Do in Baltimore

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jennifer Mead-Brause, Executive Director
June 29, 2009
jennifer.mead@baltimorecity.gov
410-396-4695, 410-396-4698
www.baltimoreanimalshelter.org

An animal care advisory from

Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS)

Keep Your Animals Safe on Independence Day

While Independence Day fireworks can be an exciting experience for people, they can be a stressful for animals.  The noise and commotion can be extremely frightening and distressing for animals.

Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) reminds everyone to keep their companion animals safe during the 4th of July holiday festivities. Even animals who are not inclined to roam far from their homes may run away in response to the loud noises and flashing lights caused by fireworks.

Animal shelters across the country are accustomed to receiving “Independence Day” dogs—dogs who run off during fireworks celebrations and are rescued by animal control officers or Good Samaritans who take them to the safety of the local shelter.

Fortunately, preventing pet problems on Independence Day is possible by simply planning ahead and taking some basic precautions.

Dogs and cats should never be allowed to run free off your own property.  Baltimore City and Baltimore County  require that animals be leashed when off the owner’s premises.  Around Independence Day this is particularly important for the safety of your animals.

The Humane Society of the United States offers the following precautions:

• Keep your pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you’ve removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Having a television or radio playing at normal volume can help calm an animal.  .
• If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.
• Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn’t leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.
• Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.
• Resist the urge to take your pet to fireworks displays.
• Do not leave your pet in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects, even death, in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen.

If you follow these simple precautions, you and your pet can have a safe and happy Fourth of July.

BARCS is a non-profit organization, which took over the management of the Baltimore City animal shelter in 2005.  Since then animal adoptions at the shelter increased by over 2,000%!  BARCS is the largest animal shelter in the Baltimore area handling over 11,000 animals annually.

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