 July 4th is Independence Day - the celebration of our freedom. Unfortunately, for our pets it means the exact opposite. More animals end up in shelters after the 4th than any other time of year. The reason? Those bright lights and loud fireworks scare them silly and send them running for cover. Next thing they know, they are lost, confused and far from home. A scared animal is more likely to become erratic and this unfamiliar behavior can lead to serious accidents and injuries and possibly getting killed. Don't take any chances with their precious lives. PLEASE - Keep your pets INDOORS this week. Not just on the 4th, as celebrations are taking place on various days this year due to the midweek holiday. We can't stress this enough! Below is a list of helpful advice to keep Fluffy (and even Fido) safe and sound. 1. Put your cat in the bedroom but leave the closet door open to give them added security. Who doesn't know a cat that loves to hide in the clothes basket? Don't forget to put a litter box in the corner and some water. Don't give them any food until after midnight; that evening snack could upset their delicate stomach and cause a yucky mess on your rug. Close the window blinds and don't go back into the room until all is quiet - they could be frightened and run out. 2. If you have a rabbit, put them in their cage. (always keep your rabbit indoors for safety!) Close the window blinds. Rabbits are especially prone to sensitivity and can die from too much excitement. You might consider a light sheet to cover the top and front of their cage. It will help shield them from bright lights. Don't put them in the same room as the cat or dog. They may start crying or barking, further upsetting your precious bun. 3. Put your dog in the basement or bedroom. Again, leave the closet door open giving them a place to hide. Better yet, put them in their crate. Cover it and close the blinds, too and don't forget the water bowl. (no food until after midnight. That late meal could upset their stomach and cause a mess on your floor) Dogs, like all animals, have super sensitive hearing and those loud firecrackers are extremely frightening. They have been known to run out the door or even jump thru glass windows and sustain serious injuries. 4. Put a large DO NOT ENTER note on the outside of the pet room door letting all friends and family know your beloved pet is inside and not to disturb them. 5. Make sure your pet is wearing a collar and up-to-date ID tag. Better still, have them microchipped. Tags get lost. 6. Have the phone number for your veterinarian, emergency animal hospital and local animal control/shelters handy. Always have a recent picture of your pet available. If your pet does end up lost, please see our Lost and Found Page link on the left for excellent advice on how to get your pet back home quickly and safely. Shelters - Southern California Orange County Animal Control - Orange: 561 The City Drive South 714-935-6848 after 5pm, 714-935-7158 Orange County Humane Society in Huntington Beach: 21632 Newland Ave 714-536-8480 Seal Beach Animal Care Center in Seal Beach: 1700 Adolfo Lopez Dr 562-430-4993 Newport Beach/Corona Del Mar Animal Shelter in Costa Mesa: 2075 Newport Blvd 949-722-8301
Irvine Animal Care Center in Irvine: 6443 Oak Canyon 949-724-7740 Mission Viejo Animal Shelter in Mission Viejo: 28095 Hillcrest 949-470-3045 Laguna Beach Animal Shelter in Laguna Beach: 20612 Laguna Canyon Road 949-497-3552 San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter in San Clemente: 221 Avenida Fabricante 949-492-1617 24 hour Emergency Veterinary Hospitals - Southern California Animal Ambulance: 1-866-473-8911 All Care Animal Referral Center in Fountain Valley: 18440 Amistad St # 1527 714-963-0909 Orange County Emergency Pet Clinic in Garden Grove: 12750 Garden Grove Blvd. (between Harbor and Haster) 714-537-3032 Orange County Emergency Pet Clinic in Fullerton: 1474 S. Harbor Blvd. (2 blocks South of Imperial Hwy.) 714-441-2925
Advanced Critical Care & Internal Medicine in Tustin: 2965 Edinger Avenue 949-654-8950 or 949-653-9300
Animal Urgent Care of South Orange County in Mission Viejo: 28085 Hillcrest 949-364-6228
Shelters - Southwest Ohio
Butler County Humane Society in Trenton: 5225 Trenton Road 513-867-5727
Warren County Humane Society in Lebanon: 230 Cook Road 513-695-1176
Humane Society of Greater Dayton in Dayton: 1661 Nicholas Road 937-268-PETS
SPCACincinnati in Cincinnati (Northside): 3949 Colerain Ave 513-541-6100
SPCACincinnati in Cincinnati (Sharonville): 11900 Conrey Road - temporarily closed for renovations 24 hour Emergency Veterinary Hospitals - Southwest Ohio Cincinnati Animal Referral and CARE Center in Cincinnati: 6995 East Kemper Rd 513-530-0911 | 
