As the sky prepares to light up with Independence Day festivities, it's not just the fireworks that are causing a stir in Fort Worth - pet owners are being reminded of the stress the loud celebrations can have on their four-legged companions. According to the City of Fort Worth, there's a notable uptick in the number of distressed pets this time of year, with Animal Care & Control reporting a 40% increase in calls for lost pets around the Fourth of July.
The numbers paint a stark picture for the city's pets, stray animal calls on July 4 have been hitting highs of 101 to 111 from 2022 to 2024 which are significantly higher than the average 59 to 76 calls on other, more regular days, an echo of a wider problem that rears its head during popular fireworks holidays like New Year’s too, and a reminder that our celebrations might carry unintended consequences for the smaller, furrier residents among us.
This isn't just about statistics though, fireworks trigger a real panic in dogs, causing them to shake and bark and hide or let fear drive them to run away from what should be the safety of their homes; it's a stress response that pet owners are being urged to counter with some proactive love and care. The folks at the shelter are advising pet owners to create a calm environment indoors, replete with the toys and treats that normally bring joy to their pets, and perhaps to even drown out the booming sounds of the fireworks with a little bit of soothing music.
