Noise phobia in pets induces panic and may result in dogs and cats making a choice between “fight or flight”. Some pets can become so fearful and panicked that they bite, including their owner or family members. Other pets may tremble in fear and try to hide in a closet or under furniture. And some dogs and cats may decide to run away to escape the loud noises. In fact, July 5th is the busiest day for animal shelters, many filled to capacity with pets that panicked at the sound of firecrackers. 
 

Make a plan to keep your pet safe and secure during fireworks

As pet owners, we are responsible for keeping our pets safe and healthy. That includes having a plan to make your pet secure during loud celebrations and firework displays. Consider these tips to make the celebrations less stressful for you and your pets:

• Exercise you dog beforehand to help them relax
• Keep them at home and indoors in a quiet room or crate
• Make sure windows and doors are closed and secure
• Turn on a fan, TV, or play soft music to help create white noise
• Make certain that your pets have I.D. tags with up-to-date information
• Provide your pet with their favorite toy or blanket to give them comfort
• Talk to your veterinarian if your dog or cat requires medication to help ease their anxiety

Watch out for potentially dangerous debris on the ground 
 

• Keep sparklers, glow sticks, fireworks, charcoal and kabob skewers away from curious pets.
• Don’t let pets get near your barbecue grill while it is in use or still hot.
• Check your yard for fireworks debris before allowing pets outside to play or relax. Even if you didn’t set off fireworks yourself, debris can make its way into your yard, where curious animals may pick it up to play with or eat.
• If you hosted guests, check both your yard and home for food scraps or other debris that might be dangerous to pets, such as food skewers.

Bonus tip: Protect your dog or cat this summer and beyond

The best way to protect your pet, no matter the season, is to talk to your State Farm^® agent about how a pet medical insurance with Trupanion can help protect your pets, or start your free, no-obligation quote online.

Match your pet’s breed to your lifestyle.

You may walk through a shelter or rescue and see a dog with the most adorable face. But, is it the right one for your lifestyle? One of the most important factors of responsible pet adoption is picking the best pet that matches your lifestyle. Every dog breed is different and may have certain breed characteristics or personality traits. Do your research. Pick a pet breed that complements your daily schedule as well as your family needs. Consider how much time and energy you have to dedicate to a new family member. For example, do you work long hours, travel often, or live in a smaller space? Keep in mind that State Farm does not have a breed restriction policy. All dog breeds or types are welcome!

Research your animal welfare organization.

There are a variety of animal welfare organizations helping pets every day. Research which animal shelter or rescue group you would like to adopt from and make sure to ask questions. For example, most animal shelter organizations are run by volunteers. They have spent a lot of time getting to know each one of these animals. They may have information about behaviors and quirks that may not be listed on a piece of paper.

Budget for your pet.

The cost of bringing home a pet could be more than you think. In addition to food, toys, and training, your new pet will need a yearly veterinary exam, preventative care, and vaccinations. In addition to these expected costs, can you cover costs of an expected pet injury or illness?

Your pet’s medical care may cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. At the end of the day, you want your new dog or cat to be happy and healthy. Consider your finances when adopting a new pet. Can you afford the potential cost for the unexpected? A great option to consider is getting pet medical insurance. State Farm provides medical insurance coverage for cats and dogs through Trupanion. This option makes illness or injury treatment decisions easier, allowing pets to get the care they need without worry of paying for treatment.

Responsible pet adoption is important for the wellness of your furry family member.

Whether you’re looking to bring home a new puppy, kitten, or an adult pet, there are a number of factors to consider when it comes to responsible pet adoption. But by picking your breed, doing your research, and budgeting for your new pet, you’re on your way to being a responsible pet owner.

Thinking about adoption or fostering a pet?

Trupanion has created a free, recorded webinar to help you learn even more about how to prepare, including Q&A with Animal Behaviorists and leading Veterinarians. Watch the webinar here.

Daniel and Sherry Cunningham’s son Matt heard tornado sirens revving up shortly after 7pm Sunday night in Vilonia, Arkansas. They switched on the TV to a Little Rock station. A tornado was on the ground near Maumelle, AR - headed directly in their direction at 50 mph ground speed. They knew they had about 20 minutes, maybe.

There was a flurry of activity to gather a few prize possessions. This left just enough time to rush next door to collect the neighbor’s pets. The family and pets took shelter in the closet and bathroom.

Daniel went into the bedroom and grabbed a mattress, telling Sherry (a stickler for a clean house), “We’ll make the bed up in the morning.”

Sherry had grabbed her laptop and a few items, and they were all in the hallway under the mattress. They had used up 15 minutes.

Sherry said she felt like this might be the end of everything for them. Conditions outside the last few minutes were  bad. They expressed their love for each other and waited…about two more minutes, then everything started to shake.

Daniel said at first, he could hear individual shingles coming off the roof. Then debris started slamming into the house intensely. They felt a shift in pressure and everything “seemed to lift” a little. The tornado had arrived.

A long minute later, and it was over. A board had fallen from somewhere and wedged against the wall, pinning the mattress down onto them. Sherry said that mattress probably saved their lives.

The next morning, they heard from their State Farm agent, Jay Paul Bernard, when he came to their house.  Daniel said they have had a very good experience with Jay Paul, and they love State Farm. Sherry said, “He’s been out to our house every day.”

The Cunninghams feel very much taken care of…“that’s what good neighbors do for one another.” Sherry added, that what seems to be important has been redefined from her experience.