The Region : Holiday Noise Irritates Pets
The San Gabriel Valley Humane Society advises residents to keep their pets indoors during the Fourth of July weekend, when the din of fireworks can rattle the nerves of animals and drive them to run away.
The exploding and whistling noises that excite humans during Fourth of July celebrations can have traumatic effects on animals, whose hearing is far more sensitive, humane officials said.
“Fireworks make dogs and cats more nervous than you could ever imagine,” said Joan Coleman, director of the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society. “Even far-away noises, which may be imperceptible to us, are monumental to pets.”
Fireworks often cause pets to jump fences and other obstacles in an effort to avoid the noise.
“The busiest day for us is the day after the Fourth of July,” Coleman said, referring to the number of calls for lost pets that Humane Society workers receive.
Humane Society officials say pet owners should keep their animals enclosed in a quiet and dark room during the celebrations.
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