NOTE: Both of Greenhill Humane Society’s shelter locations (88530 Green Hill Road and 3970 W 1st Avenue) will be closed to the public on Wednesday, July 4th (staff and volunteers will be onsite to care for the animals and take in stray animals from animal control). 1st Avenue shelter will reopen to the public at 10:00am on Thursday, July 5th. The shelter on Green Hill Road will reopen on Friday at 11:00am.
As fun as the 4th of July festivities can be for people, it can be equally as frightening for dogs and cats. Fireworks are already being heard in many neighborhoods and will likely become more persistent as we near the actual holiday.
Loud noises, especially over prolonged periods of time, can frighten and confuse animals. While some pets don’t seem to mind, others hide, tremble, or run away. When they are in that state of fear a screen door or fence might not stop a dog that is trying to get away. Unfortunately, every year at this time, too many dogs and their people get separated.
“We’ve seen dogs run as far as five miles trying to escape the fireworks,” says Greenhill Humane Society canine program manager, Katie Barnett. “The best advice we can offer is to keep your pets safely inside and keep current contact information on them – that will help us get them home to you faster.”
1st Avenue Shelter, run by Greenhill Humane Society, is the stray intake shelter for most of Lane County, and often the place stray pets are brought. If your pet is missing, please check the shelter’s website at https://www.green-hill.org/ or call 541-844-1777. The shelter’s website is updated daily with photos of animals brought to our facility, even on days that we are closed to the public.
In an effort to keep pets safe at home, Greenhill is offering these tips for pet owners:
- Do not bring your pet to fireworks displays.
- When fireworks are being used, keep pets indoors, including outdoor cats. Scared pets may dig under fences or break through gates when spooked by the sound of fireworks.
- Keep your pet in a quiet room, play calming music, or background noise to help soothe them.
- For pets that are extremely stressed by fireworks, make an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss medications and other alternatives to help calm your pet.
- Make sure your pet is wearing current and accurate identification, even if they are kept inside. A tag with a working phone number can get your pet home much faster. Be sure to microchip your pet as well, in case their collar comes off. If your pet is microchipped, ensure your information is up to date.
- Find out where fireworks can NOT be used: State Parks, beaches, airport hotels, and consider taking your pups for a drive or a get-away to distance yourselves from the noise!
If you have lost or found a pet, immediately contact your local animal control office.
• Cottage Grove – Humane Society of Cottage Grove: 541.942.3130
• Eugene – Eugene Animal Services: 541.687.4060
• Unincorporated Lane County – Lane County Animal Services: 541.682.3645
• Springfield – Springfield Animal Control/Police Dept.: 344 A Street: 541.726.3634
• Veneta – Veneta Animal Control/City Hall: 88184 8th street: 541.935.2191
Learn more at https://www.green-hill.org/lost_and_found_reports/
