The 4th of July is Freedom Day, but if you're not paying attention, the celebrations can land your furry friends in a kennel.
According to Elizabeth Oreck, senior community programs manager at Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles, more lost pets are brought to Los Angeles-area shelters on July 5 than any other day.
“It's the busiest day of the year,” Oreck said.
Here's how to keep your dog or cat safe at home during the holidays and what to do if you lose your pet or find someone else's.
Secure your pets
The best way to keep your pet safe is to keep them from leaving the house, Oreck said.
He recommended that pet owners know the schedule of any nearby fireworks show and make sure their pet is inside ahead of time; Loud noises or bright, flashing lights could scare them. But your neighbors' impromptu shows, which might be illegal, are harder to plan.
Place your dog or cat in a cozy room with the windows and blinds closed. Play soft music to drown out the explosions of fireworks, and give your pet something to do, such as putting treats inside an interactive toy, to keep him calm and happy.
Put a microchip on them
If your pet makes it out, its best chance of returning home is for someone to read the information on its microchip or tag, Oreck said.
“A microchip is as valuable as up-to-date information,” Oreck said.
Microchips are relatively inexpensive and are required for all pets in Los Angeles County that are over 4 months old. A veterinarian inserts a small chip the size of a grain of rice under your pet's skin that can be scanned in case it gets lost.
If your pet is already microchipped, make sure the information is up to date; Sometimes even microchipped pets cannot be identified because the phone number associated with them has been disconnected.
LA Animal Services provides microchips for $15 at its six shelters on a walk-in basis. Los Angeles County shelters offer microchipping for $7.50, but require an appointment.
If you can't chip your pet in time for Saturday, make sure it has a good collar with a tag with its name and contact number up to date, Oreck said.
Even with all of these precautions, pets can still go missing. “Even the most diligent and responsible pet owner can experience the unexpected,” Oreck said.
If your pet gets lost, stay calm.
Allison Cardona, director of Wallis Annenberg PetSpace in Los Angeles, said running after your pet who just went outside can encourage him to keep running instead of returning home.
Put up signs around the neighborhood, post them on social media platforms like Facebook and Nextdoor, and check all nearby shelters for your pet. Use free services like PetCo Lost Love, which helps connect humans with their lost and found pets.
If you find a pet and can foster it for a few days, try to find its owner using social media, PetCo Lost Love or posters before handing it over to the shelter system, Oreck said.
To handle the influx of animals expected in the coming days, Animal Services has requested additional foster volunteers in the four days before and after the holiday.
