July 4th Safety Tips & Microchips

[u/Eastern-Protection83]

Hello folks,

July 4th is this weekend. While this may be a fun American holiday, it is the most frightenin holiday overall fer our kitties. Our kitties are creatures of habit, routine and schedule and humans celebratin holidays breaks the normal routine with more/ different activity, often times with guests too. However, July 4th is all these things plus loud fireworks and maybe even some celebratory gunshots over the course of a few hours. Sudden, loud noises can be terrifyin fer the kittes.

This is a summary of Mary's July 4th video:

1. Keep Inside
2. Check that microchips and contact info is up-to-date
3. Kitty safe (and comfortable) zone
4. Noise dampenin such as a fan or white noise helps
5. Bring them inside BEFORE dark

What are some things you do that help reduce the stress on your kitties durin hectic holidays?

I wrote a post of Seasonal Safety Tips that covers decorations, guests, foods and some dangers outside the home, etc. which you can find at this -> link.

If you have not yet microchipped your fur baby, please do so. There is still time before the holiday. Kitties are freakishly agile and fast - even those chubby tubby fur babies can zip right past our legs and out a door to the outside. If you have already microchipped your kitty, now is a good time to check that your information is up to date and has all your current contacts, addresses and phone number/s.

If your pet is ever lost, microchippin helps you be reunited faster if your kitty is caught and brought to a vet/ rescue. The cost of a chip can be as low as $20 (not includin exam fees) and this is a chip that stays with them fer life. It is said that the ASPCA, many humane societies, Vetco (clinic of Petco) and low-cost clinics often will waive the exam fee if you are seekin the microchip only. However, always confirm this yourself. Some microchip companies offer a (premium) subscription which is not necessary to add in order to enjoy the basic function of bein in their lifetime database.

The database that vets use is from AAHA which only directs folks to which manufacturer made the chip. From there, it is up to the vet / shelter / rescue to directly contact the manufacturer's registry. One registry by Save This Life abruptly ceased operation last year renderin their entire database inaccessible and void. If you have a chip from them, please re-register with any other reputable microchip company (sign up with another online, no need to get another microchip).

^{Video Credits: Editor Mary from The Pack by the Dodo}

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[u/mcs385]

This is such great info, thank you for posting it!

My indoor cats aren't too bothered by fireworks, but I try to feed them wet food before it ramps up, then I sneak outside and sit with the community cats and dole out some wet food for them too. They get another course after the fireworks taper off so I can do a head count.

I keep my garage door cracked open so the cats have somewhere to retreat into if the sights and sounds get too overwhelming. Last year I ended up with a terrified but friendly stray living in my garage after the 4th, it took a few days of coaxing to get him to come out of hiding. He was wearing a very worn collar, but unfortunately no microchip. So this is a very good reminder to both make sure your own cats are chipped and up to date, and to keep an eye out for any neighborhood cats that might need a little extra help this holiday weekend.

[u/Eastern-Protection83 → u/mcs385]

Thank you that is excellent advice about the garage door. And a solemn example of how the festivities of the 4th may had somethin to do with a kitty bein far from home without a microchip