The Fourth of July is quickly approaching and this means the holiday fireworks can frighten you per, so follow these steps to keep your pet safe and sound.

4th of July celebrations might be a lot of fun for people, but they can be downright scary for our animals, especially cats, dogs and horses. Celebrate the fourth, but please leave your pets safely indoors at home.

The Animal Shelter traditionally pick up more strays a week prior, during, and the week following the 4th of July than any other time of year, primarily because pets are so frightened by fireworks. To help keep your animals from becoming overly stressed this 4th of July, consider the following tips:

1. Leave your pets at home! Do not take your pets to fireworks displays. Pets and fireworks are a dangerous combination. Fireworks and the loud noises can terrify your pet, causing it to bolt and run away.

2. Don’t leave pets unattended outside. Don’t leave pets outside not even in a fenced yard or tied up or in a car. Dogs may try to dig out of yards. Dogs trying to escape the noises can become panicked, scale fences they never did before, or injure themselves by becoming entangled in ropes. They can end up lost miles from home, suffer heat exhaustion, or get hit by a car.

3. Exercise pets early in the day. Take your dog for a walk early in the day before the fireworks start, so it will be tired and ready for a snooze when all the excitement begins. And make sure it’s had a chance to go potty, to avoid an accident in the house later.

4. Keep pets safely indoors in a quiet place. Put your pet in a quiet room, away from outside sounds. Shut the windows, close the curtains or window blinds and use your air conditioner or a fan. Turn on the TV or radio to provide a normal sound to help drown out the noise from the fireworks. If you know your pet has a history of anxiety around loud noises, consult your vet before the holiday. Your vet may prescribe a mild tranquilizer to help keep your pet calm.

5. Make sure dogs and cats are wearing an ID tag or license. Finally, make sure your dog is wearing an ID tag with your current address and phone number, and a dog license so we can return it to you, if it should get lost.

If your pet does become lost:

  • Check the neighborhood (or area where the pet became lost), as pets have been known to be found close to home even several days later. Put up signs with your pet’s photo and your phone number.
  • Contact your microchip registration company. Once notified, they may activate a lost pet recovery network and/or place your lost pet on a “hot sheet.”
  • Contact your veterinarian. If your pet is wearing a rabies tag, the number can be traced to your veterinarian.
  • Contact animal control in your area. If possible, visit them daily to see if your pet has been brought in.
  • Place a lost pet ad in your local newspaper and/or online.
  • Check the paper daily for “found pet” ads.

Peanut 6-1-14 001Featured Dog: Peanut

Young, attractive blonde seeking new family – must like having fun, going for walks, kisses and cuddles. If that suits you, Peanut would love to meet you! This shy 7 month old girl is a ray of sunshine with a wonderful personality. She is seeking a new family that has lots of time and love to share. Her ideal home would be one in which someone is home most of the time, as she likes to stay close to her special someone! She loves gong for walks. She loves people but needs time to get to know you before she can relax and really shine.

Other available dogs;

May- Female 1year old Hound dog. Full of energy, likes playing with toys.

Dasher- Male 8  year old shih tzu. Tan/buff colored. Micro chipped, housetrained, walks well on leash. Friendly.

Wayland- Male grayish tan / white Chihuahua Friendly boy. Thin will need some good food and love.

Featured Cat: Kimmie and Kara-10 week old female kittens.

Kimmie 6-35-14 003Kimmie  is playful. Oh, she’ll let you carry her around for a bit, but then she’ll wiggle out of your arms to get back to playing. Keep plenty of boxes and paper bags around. She loves to play in them! The feather “bird” is another favorite of hers. Kimmie  is very curious–she wants to see everything you’re doing. Your best bet for a cuddle is when she’s tired herself out.
Kara 6-35-14 001Kara is one fun-loving (and adorable!) little kitty. She has a curiosity that can’t be matched and is always looking for a new adventure. Kara’s never come across a toy she didn’t like or a person she didn’t immediately befriend. She can be independent and enjoys spending time by herself playing with her toys, but is also very social with people. Come meet Kara  and you’ll make a new fuzzy friend today!

Other available cats:

TuesdayTuesday Morning-  Less than 1 year old  Female black and white. Very friendly and loves attettion.
 

 

SunshineSunshine – 1year old Female Brown tabby Very friendly Knows her name and will follow you. Loves to be petted.

 

 

Moon Male 11 year old  black with  golden eyes. Declawed in front. He originally came from the Island of Guam. Very talkative.

 

 
Ava Female Owner moved and could not take her along. She needs a quiet home. She loves t be brushed and talked to.

All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to leaving shelter and receive 1 year rabies vaccination and city license. Ages are approximated.

The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter located at 795 Hardy Way is open for adoptions from 11am until 1 pm, Monday through Saturday, Sunday 1pm -3pm. Please call 702-346-7415 during these hours to speak to the front desk. Animal Control may be reached by phone or voicemail at 702-346-5268

The animals submitted to the media may have changes so please visit our Petfinder website for a current listing and more detailed information on the animals www.mesquiteanimalshelter.petfinder.com.