Fourth of July Pet Safety

Fireworks may cause pets to panic and escape from their normal enclosures or to bolt away from their owners. Even pets that have never seemed bothered by loud noises before can develop new fears. Pet owners should take precautions before they hear the first boom, because after that, things can be very unpredictable. In many neighborhoods, fireworks happen at any time day or night, and not just on the actual holiday.

Here are some tips to help keep your pet safe:

• If your pet might fear loud noises, ask your veterinarian about medication or other options for reducing your pet's anxiety during fireworks.
• Double check that your yard is secure, repair damaged fencing, and ensure any gates fully close and stay shut.
• Keep your dog on a leash for potty breaks and exercise, even in your own yard.
• Verify that pets' tags and microchips have current and updated information, and that your dog is licensed. If your pet is staying with someone else and you will be out of phone range, add a tag with the caretaker's information so they can be called quickly when the pet is found.
• Make sure you have a good current photo of your pet in case you need to make lost pet posters. Share the photo with your pet sitter so that they have it if needed.
• Keep your pet indoors during the festivities, preferably crated or in a quiet interior room.
• Pick a room in your home that can provide a safe space for your pet during the festivities and fireworks. Help your pet become comfortable and create a positive association with the room before the fireworks start. Play music or talk radio to try to drown out the noise. This space can also become a safe refuge for your pet if they get overwhelmed by houseguests or daytime celebrations as well. 

Lost a Pet?

• Make a lost pet report online. If you are unable to use the online form, please call us at 503-846-7039 to file a report. Shelter staff can then compare your pet's details to reports of found pets.
• Don't limit your search to your own county. Dogs and cats can end up miles away from where they went missing, and they certainly don't pay attention to county lines. The contact information for neighboring and nearby county animal service organizations are listed on our area shelters resource page.
• Check out social media. Sites such as NextDoor and Facebook can help. There are several lost and found pet Facebook pages, such as "Lost and Found Pets Hillsboro" and "Lost/Found Pets Washington County." Craigslist also has sections for pets and lost and found.
• Search your neighborhood and notify your neighbors as soon as you realize your pet is missing. Make fliers with your pet's photo and your phone number on them. Put them up in the neighborhood. Also check with your local pet-related businesses, such as veterinarians and pet stores.
• In addition to these tips, be sure to check out our page with lost pet search tips.

Found a Pet?

• If you find a stray dog or cat, assume that it is someone's pet that has accidentally gotten away rather than a "dumped" or neglected animal.
• If a dog has a Washington County license, you can look up the owner using our online License Look-Up tool. When you type in the dog's license number, you'll get the phone number of the owner. Other counties have similar services. This can save you (and the dog) a trip to the shelter.
• Make a found pet report online. If you are unable to use the online form, please call us at 503-846-7039 to file a report. If you call us, our staff can advise you on options for bringing the pet to our shelter or caring for it in your home until the owner is found.
• Stray dogs can be brought to the shelter during our open hours without an appointment. Bringing a stray dog to the shelter increases the probability of reuniting an animal with its owner. Our shelter is where people look for their missing pets. We can also scan stray dogs and cats for microchips, regardless of whether we intake them into the shelter. Most veterinary clinics will also scan found pets for a microchip free of charge, but be sure to call them first and follow any protocols they have in place.
• Stray cat intake is limited and requires an appointment. If you are concerned about a cat, please call us to discuss the situation.
• In addition to these tips, be sure to check out our Report a Found Pet and Other Resources page.

Special hours during Fourth of July weekend:

The Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter will be open on Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for walk-in services only. These services include stray dog intake, pet reunification and dog licensing.

Our shelter will be closed to the public on Sunday, July 6. We will reopen with our regular services on July 7.