Fireworks & neighborhood noises may cause stress for animals
As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, Greenhill Humane Society wants to remind pet parents of the importance of keeping pets safe indoors and updating identification tags.
Greenhill’s Director of Operations, Sasha Elliott, says, “With the Fourth of July falling on a weekend this year, it’s especially important that pets are kept safe, indoors, with identification tags on them.”
Loud noises, especially over prolonged periods, can frighten and confuse animals. While some pets don’t seem to mind, others hide, tremble, or run
away. When they are in that state of fear, a screen door or fence might not stop a dog that is trying to get away. Unfortunately, every year at this time,
many pets and their people get separated.
Greenhill Humane Society is the stray intake shelter for most of Lane County. If your pet is missing, check the shelter’s dog, cat or others pages & fill out an online lost report here or call 541-689-1503. To help community members report a lost or found animal and receive helpful resources in a timely manner during non-business hours, the shelter has a Lost and Found Chat Box. The shelter’s website is updated in real-time as animals are brought to the facility. Greenhill will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Fourth of July.
It remains illegal to use “consumer” fireworks within Eugene city limits and unincorporated areas of Lane County during fire season.
In an effort to keep pets safe at home, Greenhill is offering these tips for pet owners:
• Do not bring your pet to fireworks displays.
• When fireworks are being used, keep pets indoors. Scared pets may dig under or climb fences, or break through gates when spooked by the sound of fireworks.
• Keep your pet in a quiet room, play calming music, turn on a fan, or provide other background noise to help soothe them. Shut the windows and curtains and use treats to distract a scared animal.
• For pets that are extremely stressed by fireworks, make an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss medications and other alternatives to help calm your pet before the holiday.
• Make sure your pet is wearing current identification, even if they are kept inside. A tag with a current phone number can get your pet home
much faster. Greenhill recommends a microchip for your pet, in case their collar comes off. If your pet is microchipped, verify that your information is up to date. Visit AAHA Microchip search, to find out how to contact your pet’s microchip manufacturer to update microchip information.
What to Do If You Find a Stray Dog
With many local law enforcement agencies limiting non-emergency stray dog response during the Independence Day holiday weekend, community members may be the first line of help in reuniting lost dogs with their families.
If you find a friendly dog and it is safe and reasonable to do so, the following steps can greatly increase the chances of a quick reunion:
• Check for identification. Look for a collar with ID tags that may include the owner’s contact information.
• Have the dog scanned for a microchip. Most veterinary clinics will scan a found pet for a microchip at no charge.
• Search for a lost pet report. Compare the dog’s description with Greenhill Humane Society’s Lost Pet Reports to see if someone has already reported them missing.
• Walk the dog through the neighborhood where it was found. Many dogs are found only a short distance from home, and familiar neighbors may recognize them.
• Talk with nearby residents. Knock on doors or ask neighbors if they know where the dog belongs.
• Post the dog as found. Share clear photos and the location where the dog was found on local lost-and-found pet pages and neighborhood social media groups.
• Submit a Found Pet Report to Greenhill Humane Society. This helps connect found pets with owners who have reported their animals missing.
Whenever possible, keep the dog in a safe, secure location while you search for the owner. Shelters are an important resource, but many lost dogs are reunited with their families more quickly when they remain in the neighborhood where they were found.
Most lost dogs are reunited with their owners within the first 24 to 48 hours through these simple community efforts. By taking a few proactive steps, you can help a lost pet get home safely while reducing stress on the animal and ensuring Greenhill has capacity to respond to the most critical lost, abandoned, and emergency situations during the busy holiday weekend.
Report Lost and Found Pets online at www.green-hill.org/lostreport.
Learn more at www.green-hill.org/lostfound