“Fireworks on the 4th of July and pets don’t mix.” Tina Nichols, director of the Lakeshore Humane Society, says that she and her staff will be at the shelter in an effort to help calm the animals during the fireworks.
“During that time, we’ll have staff and volunteers sitting in the areas with the animals, playing music and reading books so they’re not frightened by all of the terrible noise from the fireworks.”
Nichols explains this is “something relatively new for them” at the local animal shelter. “It is the first time that we will be doing it and we are very excited to do so. Everyone knows that an animal’s hearing is so much stronger than a human, and they don’t understand what these noises are. We want to do everything we can to keep the anxiety level down for these animals because that is a really scary place to be in. We want to make things as calm as we possibly can.”
Local pet-owners should also keep some things in mind, “With all of the fireworks and the noise that will be going on, it’s best for people to keep their animals in their house in a quieter area. We’re asking people, please do not bring your animals to any of the fireworks shows.”
Tina Nichols said they currently house over 200-animals, between dogs & cats, along with a few rabbits and hamsters. To adopt a pet, go to lakeshorehumanesociety.org, or visit the shelter in person and fill out an application.
