As the Fourth of July approaches, the excitement that fills the air for many with its anticipation of fireworks and festivities is offset by a concern for the four-legged members of our families. Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC) is stepping up with advice for pet owners on how to keep their pets safe and anxiety-free during the celebrations.
It's an open secret that animals are not fans of the loud booms and bright flashes that come with fireworks displays. Indeed, DACC emphasizes the increased sensitivity pets have to these noises, and it drives home a sobering statistic: more pets go missing around the Fourth of July than at any other time of the year. To combat this trend, DACC advises pet owners to create a serene environment indoors, using closed windows, background music, or white noise to muffle the clamor of the festivities and keep pets from fleeing in fright.
Preparation is key in ensuring a stray pet can make its way back home. "Make sure each pet in the home has ID tags and microchips that are up to date," as stated by the DACC. In the unfortunate event that a pet does become lost, they advise citizens to either visit their shelter located at 1431 E. Ferry St or contact them via phone at (313) 922-DOGS (3647).
However, amidst these cautions, a scam warning has been issued. DACC has been made aware of treacherous impersonators attempting to exploit owners of lost pets. "Residents have reported receiving phone calls about their lost pet being found but injured and that payment is required for emergency surgery," states a representative of the department, as mentioned on the DACC website. They clarify that DACC "will never ask for any kind of payment over the phone," and beware of requests for transactions through platforms like Apple Pay, Chime, or Venmo. Concerned citizens who encounter such scams are encouraged to report the incident to their Detroit Police Precinct or the Detroit Police Department's non-emergency line at (313) 267-4600.
