How to keep pets safe during July 4 fireworks

CLEVELAND (WJW) — The day after Independence Day is a busy day for City Dogs Cleveland .

“The loud booms for the dogs — they aren’t used to it. It really just scares them,” said shelter manager Kylie Betler.

Betler said animal control officers will answer up to three times the amount of stray calls during the Fourth of July.

“We definitely get an influx of dogs that the owners say, ‘Hey, he was scared and he got out and couldn’t find him and they ended up here’,” said Betler.

The kennel is already at capacity with 130 dogs. Betler is pleading for pet parents to take the necessary precautions.

“Keep your dog inside. Confine the dog in a smaller space, turn on fans, white noise, even a TV — make it a little louder,” said Betler.

According to animal control officers, more pets are lost the week of the Fourth of July than any other time of the year.

“She runs and hides, shivers, shakes — she’s scared,” said Val Gestig, dog owner.

Betler said the best way to help is keep your pets indoors and make sure they are wearing a collar with tags.

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