What are the chances that a dog hightailing it through the countryside in total panic, fleeing fireworks, would find refuge in the home of the local humane society director?
Kitsap, believe it or not.
The husky was startled by the popping and blasts from a neighboring yard. His owner had just put the other family dog inside and was heading back out for the husky, when the dog’s’s flight impulse kicked in. The last thing the owner saw was the south end of the husky heading north over the fence.
Kitsap Humane Society Executive Director Eric Stevens was “surprised when a beautiful red husky dog showed up at our back door. … As soon as I opened the door, he came darting into the house.”
The dog, panting heavily, made himself at home in Stevens’ kitchen and had no inclination to leave. Luckily, he had current identification on his dog tags, so Stevens was able to reunite him with his family, who were “relieved and overjoyed.”
Unfortunately, not all pets frightened by fireworks are so lucky. In the weeks surrounding the Fourth of July, more lost pets end up at the Kitsap Humane Society than any other time of year, according to KHS Spokeswoman Kelly Michaels.
Michaels has the following tips to keep your pets safe:
* Make sure your dog or cat has current ID on his or her collar,
and make sure the collar fits properly (no more than two fingers
should fit underneath for dogs). Cats should wear safety collars
that will pop off or stretch if they get caught on something.
* Keep animals inside the house during festivities. If people will
be coming and going, shut your pet in the bedroom. Close widows,
shades and curtains, so they will feel more secure.
* Muffle the sound of fireworks by turning on the TV, radio or a
fan.
* Sit with a very anxious pet. Distract them with play and their
favorite toys.
If a pet is lost:
* Do not delay. Start looking for them as soon as possible.
* Visit the Kitsap Humane Society daily if possible to look for
your pet. “Sometimes it may take several days before a lost pet is
brought into the shelter, so keep coming back,” Michaels said.
* Visit the humane society online,
kitsap-humane.org/looking-lost-pet and follow the steps, including
calling the KHS lost pets hotline, (360) 692-6977, ext. 2. Also
check with Kitsap Lost
Pets, http://www.kitsaplostpets.org/, a lost-and-found animal
site, hosted by PAWS of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap. KHS and
PAWS partner on reuniting pets with their families.
Now through July 8, it’s Red, White & Meow! at the humane
society. Adoption fees will be 50 percent off for 10 dynamite cats
“with extra spark.”
“They each have their own
unique personalities,” Michaels said. Visit kitsap-humane.org/red-white-and-meow
for a list of these cats.
On July 13, the humane society will host its annual PetsWalk fundraiser. Registration starts at 8 a.m., with 1 K and 5 K walks starting at 9:30 a.m. A costume contest, behavior tip clinic, dog races and pet tricks are all part of the fun. The entry fee is by donation. Raise at least $35 in pledges to get T-shirt. For information and to register, visit http://www.kitsap-humane.org/petswalk-2013 or call (360) 692-6977.
