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It is that time of year again when things are going boom in the sky all around us! Too many animals become extremely fearful, panic and run away in otherwise perfectly safe backyards or enclosures when explosions begin to erupt-whether naturally or unnaturally.

Thunderstorm activity is at its peak during the summer months and can lead to many animals winding up in animal shelters that are never reclaimed. Many animals are killed that become loose and end up being hit by a car, lost, starve to death, or are killed by other animals or disease. Be sure to keep your pets indoors during times in which thunderstorms are predicted to decrease the possibility of scrambling out of fear. Even inside animals can become destructive due to anxiety and fear when they hear loud explosions because they do not understand what is happening and become very frightened.

The best defense is to be with your animal to comfort it when it becomes frightened and gradually condition it to accept these types of sounds and activities. If you cannot be with your pet, allow it to remain indoors in a fairly quiet room, and include a radio playing soft music to help reassure the animal. Have someone periodically check on the pet, especially if the pet is prone to destruction during these times. Many people ask their veterinarians to provide tranquilizers during the thunderstorm season, though not for every pet, can help ease the discomfort.