Take these steps to stop your pets from running away on New Year’s Eve

PHOENIX — Celebrating New Year’s Eve with pets can require a lot of preparation. While the visual splendor of fireworks can dazzle humans, furry friends can find them frightening.

“New Year’s is definitely a wonderful time,” Arizona Humane Society spokesperson Kelsey Dickerson told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday. “It’s a lot of fun for us people, but, unfortunately, it can be really scary for pets.”

Frightened dogs often bolt, breaking through back doors and tearing down Valley streets.

After the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve is the second most dangerous time for pets, she said.

Microchips can make New Year’s Eve with pets easier

“We always recommend making sure, first and foremost, that your pets that updated tags and microchips,” Dickerson said.

That way, even if your dogs break out of the house while fireworks light up the metro Phoenix skies, you’ll be able to find them quickly, she added.

In fact, this is a useful pet safety tip year-round.

“It’s also estimated that about one in three pets will go missing in their lifetime,” Dickerson said.

Another quick way to track down a missing pooch is to use Petco’s Love Lost database, which keeps track of over 200,000 lost and found pets across the U.S.

How to make New Year’s Eve with pets peaceful

Dogs with high stress and anxiety can benefit from a comforting garment such as a ThunderShirt.

Think of it like “a nice hug that helps them feel secure,” Dickerson said.

Medication from your veterinarian can also help if a ThunderShirt isn’t enough to soothe your pet, she added. Another tip she shared was creating a safe space for frightened animals.

“That means a nice, secure area that they’re not able to escape from,” she said. “Lots of fresh water, food, distractions such as toys or their favorite treats, and then playing the TV or the radio to be able to help drown out those really scary noises.”

Potty breaks should also be supervised as they open up opportunities for pets to escape.

“Unfortunately, they can become really athletic and hop over that fence or go under the gate really quickly,” Dickerson said. “A scared pet is often really hard to get back into your care.”