Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- As modern day bombs were bursting in air on July 4th, pets were running for the hills. While some scurried back home, others ended up at Columbia's Animal Shelter.
Superintendent of Columbia's Animal Services, Marli Drum, said this is quite common.
"After fouth of July and other holidays with fireworks we usually see a small influx of animals coming in. And most of those animals were simply afraid of all the noise," Drum said.
Even though "man's best friend" make up a large amount of runaway pets, some cats also make their way through the shelter's doors. Veterinarian, Dr. Joseph Cheatham, says that outfitting furry friends with a microchip is the best way of reuniting owner and pet.
"The ones that have microchips, we generally find the owners to them," he said.
Although the process sounds like something out of a sci-fi flick, microchipping household pets is safe. Animal clinics and humane societies should have a microchip scanner.
The person runs the scanner over the back of the pet's shoulders. If the scanner beeps, a microchip has been found and the number shows on the screen. That number is unique to each pet and stores contact information of the owner.
Dr. Cheatham said that pet owner's will not be dissapointed by their decision.
"It's money well spent," he said.
Drum had a few suggestions for families missing their pets:
- Check vet clinics and animal shelters two or three days after the pet has gone missing.
- Hang signs around the neighborhood.
- Talk with your postal carrier.
- Scan over the newspaper's classified ads.
She also suggested keeping pets inside the house during firework shows and even thunderstorms.