07/02/2025
Did you know that July 5th is the busiest day for our animal shelters, as animals that fled in fright the night before are found miles and miles away.
In Arizona, all aerial and exploding fireworks are illegal, including sky rockets, bottle rockets, firecrackers, and reloadable shell devices. These are generally defined as anything designed to rise into the air and explode or detonate. Novelty items like sparklers, snakes, and party poppers are typically permitted, but it's best to check local regulations for specific restrictions.
Keep your pets 🐕🐈🐱 safe during July 4th weekend:
● Keep your dogs inside your home. If possible, stay home with them. Some dogs will break through a window or try to chew through the wall to escape.
I had a Great Dane, named Tiger, that literally smashed through our sliding glass door because of the thunderstorm. My father didn't allow dogs inside the house when I was little.
● Make a fort for your dog by putting blankets over a table and allowing the dog to hide underneath. Put pillows & blankets inside the corner of a walk-in closet. This makes your dog feel more secure.
○ They have noise canceling headphones for dogs, as well as dark goggles, which can help reduce the FAS (Fear, Anxiety & Stress) level of your dog
○ For cats, put their favorite blankie in their cat carrier and place inside a dark room or closet
● Play with them, which keeps them occupied, including watching television. Put on their favorite Animal Planet show.
● Turn up the radio to mask the noise coming from outside.
● Make sure their ID tag & chip are updated with your current information.
● Take a pet CPR & First Aid Class to make sure you're able to help your pet.
Horses 🐎 are fight or flight animals & the noise & light of the fireworks may cause them to spook. This could result in injury to themselves or those around them, including running through fences.
Keeping your horses 🐎 safe:
● Desensitization by training your horse near loud noises.
● Give your horse plenty of hay to keep them occupied, even if they are in a field.
● If stabled, put a radio on to mask the noise of the fireworks, but make sure that the radio is positioned safely so it can not be accessed by the horse.
● Check your horse regularly during the evening to make sure they are ok.
● There is a sedative medication you can obtain from your veterinarian, Dormosedan Gel, at least 40 minutes prior to the fireworks display for mild sedation lasting up to three hours, and helps restore safety and prevent injury.
I live at the base of South Mountain, and there are times that it sounds like a war zone outside my home during the 2 weeks that AZ allows people to shoot off fireworks. I make a fort for my pittie, Snow, and my horse Hazi is used to them, somewhat. She has a huge pasture that she can run in. During the previous year, when I walked outside to feed Hazi, I found a used firecracker 🧨 in front of her pasture gate. It could have landed on her, causing a burn.
Have a safe & Happy July 4th.
My name is Teri Ann, and I am a Certified Human * Equine * Pet CPR & First Aid Instructor. I am a former EMT; WEMT, and trained through the Arizona Humane Society Emergency Animal Medical Technician Academy. I have been teaching for over 13 years.
Learn lifesaving skills by becoming the First Responder for humans and animals...you just may save a life!
We are looking for individuals or businesses to host our classes throughout AZ, or you can attend at one of our locations.
602-753-6734
Human:
http://www.heartsandwounds.com
Equine & Pet:
http://www.comfypetsofaz.com
