On July 5, while many people relax after Independence Day, others spend their time desperately searching for their lost pets. These could be dogs who, frightened by the fireworks displays on July 4th, escaped the yard. It might even be indoor-outdoor cats who usually come inside when called but are nowhere to be found after the neighbor’s late-night firecracker marathon. As such, animal shelters all across the country are busy prepping for July 5, their busiest day of the year.
Jess Wnuk is the Executive Director of Grand Strand Humane Society in Myrtle Beach. She said that although people love their pets, the celebration is lost on them. During a 2023 interview with ABC-affiliate WPDE, Wnuk shared, “People want their dogs out with them at BBQs, family get-togethers.” She continued, “It’s so important that you make sure your pet is secure.” Emphasizing the importance of “hav[ing] proper identification,” Wnuk added that dogs are often “spooked with fireworks, loud noises, extra traffic.”
Why the day after the 4th of July is hard on dogs and shelters
For animal control officers and dog rescuers, it’s hard to enjoy any sort of July 4th celebration knowing what is to come. Upsettingly, animal shelters and rescues across the country spend every year preparing for the onslaught of intakes on the morning of July 5. This is particularly difficult to manage for many shelters that are already overcrowded, short-staffed, and underfunded. And that’s before the human toll of processing all of these lost and missing animals is factored in. The heartbreaking truth is even if a dog makes it to the shelter, it may not make it back to their family.
What’s more, some dogs arrive with devastating injuries as a result of the disorientation suffered from fleeing from firecrackers. Digging under chain link fences can also leave a few marks. Even worse, some pets get hit by cars on busy roads. Most are too focused on escaping loud noises to notice oncoming traffic. Making matters worse, there also tends to be a higher number of intoxicated drivers during the 4th of July holiday. Dogs might have to suffer for hours on the roadside awaiting a Good Samaritan who will help.
However, there’s some good news! Here are several preventative measures you can take to make sure your pet doesn’t become a statistic this Independence Day.
How to keep your dog safe on Independence Day and avoid a stressful July 5
- Leave pets safely at home, inside a cool room, and behind secure doors. Avoid leaving any windows unlatched, especially for dogs who could easily jostle a screen open.
- Try playing classical or relaxing music on a radio or leaving the television on to drown out the noise outside.
- Do not leave your pet unsupervised, even in a fenced yard. Frightened dogs, startled by fireworks, are more likely to jump fences to try and escape the noise. If you’re not staying home with your pup, find someone they are comfortable with to stay over while you’re out celebrating.
- Do not leave your pet tied up outside. Animals scared by fireworks can strangle themselves to try and break free.
- Most importantly, make sure your pet’s identification tags and microchip information are up-to-date with your current contact information.
