High number of pets go missing on 4th of July

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - More pets go missing around the fourth of July than any other holiday. Dogs and cats spooked by fireworks end up at animal shelters in record numbers in the days after Independence Day.

"They (dogs and cats) will do that. They will because they're trying to get away from whatever the scary noise is," said Almost Home Humane Society Executive Director Michelle Warren.

More pets go missing around July 4 than any other time of the year. The website PetAmberAlert.com reports animal control services see a 30 percent increase around Independence Day. It's a trend seen locally as well.

"They're trying to get away from the sound, but they end up putting themselves in even more danger. We need owners to be very aware of that," said Warren.

Warren said its dogs that turn up in high numbers in the Greater-Lafayette area after the fourth.

"In the past few years, we have had owners come right after the 4th to see if their dogs are here because they know that is what happened. They got spooked by a neighbor setting a firework off," said Warren.

Identification for your pet is important all the time, Warren said, but especially around the fourth. Identification tags and microchips can come in handy after the holiday if your pet goes missing so they can be prepared for next year.

"So that if they do end up here, we can get the owner contacted right away," said Warren.

For a pet owner, it might be tempting to take your pet with you when heading out to see fireworks, but Warren advises against that. Only a small percentage of dogs can tolerate the noise she said, and owners should have a clear idea of how their pet would respond.

"Most cases it is best that they stay at home, inside somewhere that they can't get out if they get extra scared," said Warren.

Warren said if you know your animal is afraid of thunder, it's a safe bet it will be afraid of fireworks. Pet stores offer treats that are designed to ease anxiety for animals.