Independence Day worst day of the year for runaway pets

For us, the fourth of July is a night of celebration and bright lights and booms, but for our four legged friends, it can be traumatic.

Lorri Hare, Executive Director of the Bowling Green Warren County Humane Society says they’ve seen about a forty percent increase in reports of stray dogs, stray and injured dogs, and lost dogs just in the past few days.

“We can always tell when the fourth of July is around the corner,” Hare says, “and we tell people it’s not a vital day or two—these fireworks last ten to fourteen days.”

The numbers show more pets run away from home on July 4th than any other day in the year.

“The problem with fireworks is that they run when they hear them and then they keep running,” Hare explains, “and that’s what makes it so dangerous because a lot of times pets will come back after one loud noise, but the fireworks are continuous for hours.”

Fireworks frighten some animals more than others, but big or small, you need to have a plan for the worst or your night under the sky may just end in a search for your lost pet.

Hare says, “if they’re outdoors, have them on a leash or confined in some manner. We’ve heard stories already of people going out of town and somebody house sitting for them or keeping their dog and their house and that dog jumping the fence and getting away.”

She says to make sure your pet has a name tag so someone can contact you if your dog gets away and to contact the humane society immediately.

The faster you act, she says, the more likely it is your pet will be found safe but add in the heat this July and you have a terrible combination.

“Not only are the temperatures dangerous as is, but you factor in a dog that has extreme anxiety and is running out of fear and it increases the risk so tremendously [of heat exhaustion],” Hare explains.

Even if you think your pet has a high tolerance for loud noises, you should not be too sure—plan ahead this holiday.