CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – While many people are bracing themselves for dazzling fireworks shows, Montgomery County Animal Care and Control, along with other shelters across the nation, are bracing for an annual surge in missing animal reports.
Every year, dozens of dogs and cats go missing in the days leading up to and following the Fourth of July in our county, according to MCACC Director Dave Kaske, who says, “Some of the biggest reasons are pet owners not taking the necessary precautions leading up to the July Fourth Holiday.”
But this year, officials like Kaske are urging owners to take simple, proactive steps before the celebrations begin — steps that could make the difference between a safe pet and a missing one.
Noticeable spike in lost pets
“Dogs and cats in general just have more sensitive hearing than we do,” Kaske told Clarksville Now. “Due to pets having this more sensitive hearing they are able to hear sounds at a much lower level and at a greater distance than we can as humans. Thus, any loud noises such as fireworks, gunshots, thunder… pets are much more sensitive to these noises and will affect their anxiety levels.”
Historically, the week leading up to Independence Day and the days following, MCACC sees an increase in the number of pets reported lost, as well as responses to stray, roaming dogs and stray, confined dogs…