Sacramento County animal shelter seeks volunteers to comfort pets during July 4th fireworks

The loud cracks, booms and whistles that come with fireworks on the Fourth of July are fun for many but can often send pets into a stressful frenzy. That’s why Sacramento County officials and its Bradshaw Animal Shelter are asking for volunteers to sit with, or sing to, or play soft music for its animals to keep them calm during the holiday Thursday.

“All of the noises caused by celebrations are really terrifying for the animals and they don’t understand what is happening,” said Celeste Ingrid, the shelter’s volunteer program coordinator. “The human voice can be a very powerful tool for calming animals down.”

Volunteers must register online to work at the shelter — located at 3839 Bradshaw Road in Mather — and groups of up to five people may register together. Teens who are 12 and older can volunteer if they are accompanied by an adult.

The weeks after the Fourth of July often bring more lost animals to shelters than any other time of year, according to shelter officials. Officials at the Mather shelter are waiving owner fees for retrieving lost pets between Monday and July 15.

Shelter officials provided recommendations to help pet owners keep their critters safe and at peace amid the fireworks:

▪ Keep pets in secure, quiet indoor areas with the television or music running to drown out the sounds outside.

▪ Prevent pets from getting near items they may chew or tear up out of stress.

▪ If loud noises tend to make a pet distressed, consult with a veterinarian before the holiday.

▪ Ensure all pets are properly identified, micro-chipped and licensed with all updated information in case they go missing.

The volunteer form and more information is available on the shelter’s website at animalcare.saccounty.gov.