Pet Auto Safety

Every year on the 4th of July we walk over to the park near our house where there is a huge fireworks display. And every year when I get home Sephi is hiding in the bathroom. I find her there shaking uncontrollably from the terrible noises that just took place. I can only imagine how she would have felt if I had brought her to the park with me.

I am amazed at how many people I see at fireworks displays with their pets. So many dogs get lost this time of year due to them running off in fright. And some of them end up getting hit by a car. So please leave your dog at home during the fireworks display.

There are other things you should consider this 4th of July in keeping your pet safe. It’s not unheard of for a dog to break their chain, dig out, or jump the fence in order to try to escape the noise. So keep your pet indoors. And if possible, keep them in the quietest place of the house. Sephi goes into our bathroom because that is the quietest place. I turn on the bathroom fan because she is familiar with that noise and it helps to drown out some of the noises of the fireworks. You can also leave a television or radio on for your pet before you leave. Do not leave any windows of your house open. And if your dog knows how to open any of your doors, lock them before you leave.

Always make sure your pet is wearing their identification tags. A desperate dog just might be able to find a way out. I have heard of dogs breaking out of windows, going through air ducts, and even managing to open an unlocked door. Tags will help to bring them home. If you find a dog this year, contact the local animal shelter and humane society. Post in the classified ads of your local newspaper. Post online too. Craig’s list is a popular place to post online. Leave fliers at local neighborhood centers and notify local residents.

If you know your pet will enjoy it, feel free to take your pet to the park for the 4th of July picnic, but please leave them at home for the fireworks! Enjoy the Independence Day celebration and come home to a safe and happy pet.

The employees of PetAutoSafety.com visited an event today called “Paws in the Park” which was presented by the Johnson County Park & Recreation District. This event is located at Shawnee Mission Park, a 1,250 acre park located in Johnson County, Kansas at 79th and Renner Rd. It is the largest park in Johnson County and has more visitors than any other park in the state of Kansas. This is because the park is not only clean and well-kept, but it also has areas designated for numerous activities including fishing, boating, canoeing, picnics, hiking, and biking. It also has a disc golf course, trails for horse back riding, an archery range, a play area for kids, the Theater in the Park, and best of all, a 53 acre off-leash area for dogs. The off-leash area for dogs has a swim beach, some well-kept wood chip trails, and both grassland and wooded areas for the dogs to visit.

“Paws in the Park” is a family and pet event with multiple pet-related activities and pet-related vendors. The pet-related activities and events included a pet/owner look-a-like contest, a dog walk, best trick contest, an agility course, and best costume contest. There was also a canine demonstration by the Overland Park Police Department. The pet-related vendors we saw included PetsMart, various animal rescue groups, local dog training businesses, local dog sitters and day care businesses, veterinary clinics, and more! Next year, we here at PetAutoSafety.com hope to be one of the vendors in this event. Our goal is to not only get the word out about pet auto safety, but to collect enough proceeds to be able to donate a portion to the local humane society. Most of the proceeds for the “Paws in the Park” event is given for the upkeep of Shawnee Mission Park, but a fair portion will be donated to an area dog rescue group. We are proud to contribute to any organization that helps pets. We are also glad that we could contribute to a great park that we take our dogs to all the time.

Check your local area for great off-leash parks and wonderful pet-related events.