FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) – Fourth of July weekend is upon us, and although many people like to celebrate with fireworks, it’s important to remember your pets still need to feel safe and secure.

Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control warns pet owners that dogs, cats and even small animals can easily become frightened by the sudden explosion of fireworks, which could cause them to run away.

In a joint effort between Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control, H.O.P.E. for Animals and the Allen County SPCA, all three organizations will be offering $4 microchips to dogs and cats on Friday, June 29, in hopes of permanently identifying as many pets as possible before the holiday weekend.

Feel free to get in touch with any of the three organizations with questions or concerns:

• Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control
  • 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
  • 3020 Hillegas Road
  • (260) 427-1244
• H.O.P.E. for Animals
  • 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • 1333 Maycrest Drive
  • (260) 420-7729
• Allen County SPCA
  • 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • 4914 S. Hanna Street
  • (260) 744-0454

In addition, Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control has provided tips to keep your pets safe during the holiday weekend:

• Keep dogs inside your home or inside an air-conditioned building as much as possible when fireworks are being used in your area.
• Cats and small animals should be kept inside at all times.
• Secure gates and supervise your animals while outside.
• Keep current identification on your pet’s collar.
• Give pets a safe place to hide (a bedroom or other quiet space). Turn on a television,l radio, fan or other ambient noise to drown-out the sound of fireworks.
• Pets should not be taken to any parade or celebration where fireworks or sirens occur. Loud noises increase the chance of your pet fleeing and becoming lost in an unfamiliar area.
• Never take your pet in the car with you. Even on a 70-degree day the inside of a car can reach temperatures of 120 degrees or more in a matter of minutes. Partially opened windows won’t provide sufficient air, but do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen, experience a seizure or even death.
• While fireworks have the potential to cause serious toxicity for pets, common concerns with exposure to fireworks include gastrointestinal upset, corrosive injury, dermal burns and possible foreign body obstruction.
• Keep pool chemicals and products away from your pets while celebrating at pools as these can cause serious toxic exposure when pets come into direct contact with them
• Keep pets away from picnic foods to avoid toxic exposure – Summer festivities include a plethora of foods pets should not get into: Grapes/raisins, onions and garlic, xylitol, macadamia nuts, chocolate, moldy food, avocados, cherry pits and alcohol to name a few.

If your pet does disappear, Animal Care and Control will be open Thursday, July 5 from 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. for people to search for a lost pet.

Anyone who finds a lost animal is asked to file a found report with the shelter. The animal can be kept in the finder’s home or relinquished to Animal Care and Control.