ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —
The perennial struggle of pet owners every Fourth of July has returned: fireworks freak our furry friends out. Fortunately, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue has some advice for keeping your animals calm during the Fourth festivities.
Brother Wolf, at 31 Glendale Ave. near Biltmore Village, is a nonprofit animal rescue and adoption center founded in 2007. The organization cares for dozens of cats and dogs at a time while preparing them for their new homes.
Intake coordinator Justice Jellinick works with shelter partners and the public to provide resources for homeless animals in shelters. Jellinick has more than a decade of experience in animal welfare.
“Typically, animals are scared by the loud noises and the flashing lights. For us, we know that it’s the Fourth of July and that’s what’s going to happen. These pets don’t really have an understanding of that,” Jellinick said. “Studies show one in five pets will go missing if startled by a loud noise.”
Jellinick offered the following tips for pet owners looking to avoid startling their pets this Independence Day:
- Make your pet as comfortable as possible in a safe place in the house
- Play music
- Put a movie on
- Use a white noise machine
- Close the blinds and curtains
- Bring outdoor pets inside
“We always recommend staying with your pet if you can,” Jellinick said. “If your pet really suffers from anxiety or is scared of loud noises, we would recommend talking to your veterinarian about possibly getting some medication for your pet during the Fourth of July.”
Brother Wolf will be open to the public for adoptions on the Fourth of July. If interested in adopting a dog or cat, information about all of the available pets at the rescue can be found on the Brother Wolf website, www.bwar.org.