Tips for Happy, Safe Pets on the Fourth of July

The Fourth of July means more cookouts, summer fun, and fireworks – but it also means an increase in lost pets across the United States. With loud booms and bangs, pets can become easily scared and may bolt.

Let’s make sure we keep our beloved pets safe at home. Here are some tips to help: 

Walk your pet earlier in the day. Whenever possible, it’s ideal to exercise your pet well-ahead of nightfall and plan to keep them indoors all evening in order to avoid primetime for fireworks.

Safeguard your pet with your contact information. Ensure your pet has proper and up-to-date identification. Make sure their collar is securely fastened with an ID tag that includes your contact information. If your pet is microchipped, be sure that the information is current and up-to-date.

Create a safe and comfortable space. Keep pets inside and secure while fireworks are going off by making sure doors, gates, and windows are closed at all times. During gatherings or when welcoming guests, be mindful of open doors and moving gates to ensure your pet doesn’t slip out unnoticed. 

Minimize the noise. As one of the loudest holidays of the year, it’s important to close windows and curtains as well as use fans, television, radio, or a white noise machine to block out the booms.

Have you found a lost pet over the holiday?

Here are some tips to help reunite a lost pet with their family to reduce stress for the pet and the people missing them:

• Walk the animal around the area you found it and check with neighbors to see if they recognize the pet. Most pets are found within a mile of their home! 
• You can post online on local Facebook Lost Pet Pages, Nextdoor, Craigslist, PawBoost, and upload photos to Petco Love Lost. 
• Have the pet scanned for a microchip at your local veterinary clinic to get the pet guardian’s contact information. 
• If possible, provide the pet with a temporary home – their family will have an easier time getting them back if they stay in the neighborhood they were found. 
• If you are not able to locate the pet’s owner or provide a temporary home, please make an appointment to bring the pet to the shelter.

If you have found or lost a pet, please visit our Lost Pets webpage for additional resources and information.