ALBUQUERQUE – The City’s Animal Welfare Department is encouraging pet owners to protect their pets this 4th of July.

While the holiday is a wonderful day to celebrate with family and friends, for animals it is a fearful, stressful and dangerous time. The fireworks often drive pets to act out of character, especially if left outside and unattended. They run away, jump over fences and leap through screens and windows out of fear, according to a press statement.

These simple precautions during the Fourth of July festivities can help:

  1. Leave your pets at home and indoors. The noise of the fireworks for most pets could cause anxiety, fear and a desire to flee.
  2. Keep pets in a lit, cool, calm closed room with familiar sounds and chew toys that will help to distract and make the animal feel safe.
  3. Identification tags and microchips are a must in case the pet escapes. This will help to reunite the pets and the owners quickly and effectively. Please make sure information on tags and microchips are updated.
  4. If the pet gets especially stressed, ask your vet for help to calm your pet down.

Should your pet get lost and end up at either shelter, Animal Welfare wants to expedite the process of returning them to their owners. If your pet is already spayed or neutered, they will be returned to you free of charge. All you have to do is pick up your pet at the shelter.

For locations of the Animal Welfare Shelters, visit www.cabq.gov/pets.