Updated: 7/5/2008 8:38:35 PM
Fourth of July fireworks can be a blast, but not everyone enjoys the noise. Every year around this time, Young-Williams Animal Center sees an increase in stray pets being brought in and they say celebrations may be the reason.
They may be holiday crowd-pleasers, but at least one group doesn't seem to enjoy the snap, crackle and pop of Independence Day.
"Around this time of year, we tend to get very busy because with the Fourth of July comes fireworks and fireworks tend to be very loud and very scary to dogs," said Beth Finamore-Neff with Young-Williams Animal Center.
Neff says the loud pops and bangs of fireworks can send already-timid pets over the edge.
"A lot of times, dogs will escape and run away because they're scared of the fireworks," she said.
When that happens, the pets usually end up at Young-Williams, waiting for their owners to come pick them up, but owners must act quickly.
"With a stray animal, we have to hold them 3 days in order to give the owner time to come in and look for them," Neff said. "That's why we really encourage people to get down here as soon as possible because that 72 hour period is not very long and, once that period is over with, then we try to determine if they're available for the adoption floor," she added.
Neff advises pet owners to keep their animals inside or in a crate to keep them safe, calm and, most importantly, at home.
"If you've lost your dog, please come in, come to Young-Williams and look for them because there's a good possibility they're here," she said.
Young-Williams Animal Center had taken in about 25 strays by mid-afternoon on Saturday. Neff says she took calls all day long from people missing their pets.
The center will be open on Sunday between 1PM and 5PM and can be reached at (865) 215-6599.
