PEORIA, Ill. — We all love our pets, but on the 4th of July, it’s best to leave them home as we celebrate our independence.
Kitty Yanko, with Peoria County Animal Protection Services, or PCAPS, said fireworks can spook cats and dogs, often making them run off.
“Just playing it safe, I’d say keep them inside, make sure if you have dogs, that they’re not out in the yard at fireworks time. You just don’t want to take the chance that they’ll get scared and get out of the yard or the house,” Yanko said.
If your pet does run off during the fireworks, you’ll need to report them missing to the Peoria County Animal Shelter Tuesday morning, according to Yanko.
With BBQs and neighborhood fireworks, cats, just like dogs can run off when they get scared.
Yanko said it’s important to keep cats safe inside too.
“If you have a cat that tends to sneak out, or likes to be kind of in the middle of activities when people are coming and going on the holiday, you just want to make sure that they’re safe in a room with closed doors, and windows closed,” Yanko said.
If you pet has been microchipped, it makes it much easier for you to be reunited with them after the 4th of July holiday.
For information from PCAPS, click HERE.
