Keep pets safe and secure during the 4th of July
Portland, OR - Independence Day is not a time of celebration for our pets. The fireworks that we humans find so thrilling can drive pets, especially dogs, into a state of utter panic. The explosions (even miles away), the high-pitched swoosh of rockets climbing into the sky, the flashes of light - these can all be overwhelming sensory assaults. If your pet is terrified of fireworks, you probably know the signs: He cowers, trembles in fear or hides and appears disoriented. Some dogs become so frightened they take drastic action. They can crash through a screen door, jump out of a window or leap a fence.
Every year, Portland animal shelters have their hands full dealing with lost dogs that bolted on July 4th, cats that have gone missing and anxious owners looking for them. Sadly, some lost pets are never recovered. There are ways to make July 4th safer and less stressful for pets. Keep your pet inside as much as possible on July 4th (and for a few days before and after if your pet is extremely phobic about fireworks). If you find a stray animal, please keep them with you until your local animal shelter is open and ready to receive them.
The Oregon Humane Society urges pet owners to follow the suggestions below to ensure their pets will not run off.
1) Make sure all pets, even indoor-only cats, are wearing a collar with an identification tag that includes your name and telethon number. A microchip is also a good idea. Terrified animals will become confused and disoriented. They may end up miles from home or deep under a neighbor's porch. This simple precaution will save a lot of anguish, time, and energy.
2) Fireworks are on sale now - that means kids may begin shooting them off early. Walk dogs in the early evening - well before nightfall - to prevent undue stress from noisy fireworks.
3) During neighborhood firework displays, keep all pets safely inside. Dogs, and cats, who are agitated should be put into a bathroom or other room with no windows, with the door secure. Remember screen doors will not keep in a charging dog. Please do not take a dog to watch a large commercial firework display. This only increases the chances of him becoming lost in an
unfamiliar area.
4) In extreme cases, check with your veterinarian about tranquilizers.
If your pet becomes lost during the holiday (or at any time):
1) Immediately check with your local animal control agency first.
2) Put up flyers with a photo and detailed description of the missing pet.
3) The Craigslist Website (http://portland.craigslist.org/) offers free lost and found pet postings.
4) Check around the neighborhood carefully. Lost cats have been found days later hiding under a bush in front of their owners' homes. For dogs, expand the search area further than expected as a precaution. http://www.oregonhumane.org/lost_pets/overview.asp contains detailed information on what do to if you lost or found a pet, including links to county control agencies and tips for finding your missing pet.
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Contact information of shelters in the Portland Metro and Southwest Washington area
Clackamas County Dog Services
2104 Kaen Road, Oregon City, Oregon
503-655-8628
www.co.clackamas.or.us
Hours of operation: lost/found assistance Monday - Saturday 8:30 am - 4:00pm; Dog Services is closed on Sunday and holidays, including the Fourth of July
Humane Society for Southwest Washington
1100 NE 192nd Ave. Vancouver, WA 98684
360-693-4746
www.southwesthumane.org
Animal Receiving & Lost and Found Viewing Hours Tuesday through Sunday noon - 6 P.M. Open on July 4th
Multnomah County Animal Services
1700 W. Historic Columbia River Highway, Troutdale, Oregon
503-988-7387
www.multcopets.org
Hours of operation: Tues., Thurs and Fri., 11:00 am - 6:00 pm; 12:00-6:00pm Wednesday, 11:00 am - 4:30 pm Saturday-Sunday.
Closed Monday and Holidays including the Fourth of July
Oregon Humane Society
1067 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland, Oregon
503-285-7722
www.oregonhumane.org
Hours of operation: Thursday - Saturday 10 am - 9 pm; Sunday- Wednesday 10am - 7 pm. Closed on July 4th
Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter/Washington County Animal Services
1901 SE 24th Avenue, Hillsboro, Oregon
503-846-7041
www.co.washington.or.us/pets
Hours of operation: Mon., Tues., Thurs. Fri. and Sat., 9:00 am - 6:00 pm; 12:00 pm - 5:30 pm Wednesday.
Open on July 4th for reclaiming pets only
Dove Lewis Emergency
1945 NW Pettygrove, Portland, Oregon 97209
Phone: (503) 228-7281
www.dovelewis.org
24 Hours, every day
Clark County Animal Protection and Control
1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver, Washington
360-397-2488 www.clark.wa.gov Closed on July 4th