Tips for keeping your pets safe, calm during New Year’s Eve fireworks

As festivities get underway Tuesday night, the director and founder of a local animal shelter is reminding people to give their pets a little extra care.

Ruth Thompson of the ANNA Shelter said fireworks, loud noises or even a party atmosphere can trigger a fight or flight response for pets.

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She said pet owners should watch for signs like a stress yawn or an agitated tail wag.

Thompson also said people should do right by their pets and remove them from bad situations.

“There are things like Thundershirts, the compression kind of like we have those weighted blankets that are compression clothes like that you can put on the dogs. If you can, keep them in the area where they’re not going to hear the noise. A noise machine, maybe some music, something calming for the dogs,” said Thompson.

Thompson said stray pets are a result of these situations as they look to get out of a yard or enclosed area.

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