The loud sounds and vibrant lights of Independence Day fireworks might be a thrill for many Americans, but for their beloved pets, it’s another story.
Dogs often become frightened by the large bangs and booms associated with fireworks and have a tendency to flee out of fear.
That leads to many pets ending up in local shelters instead of at home in the comfort and safety of their owners.
In Los Angeles County, the Department of Animal Care and Control reported a surge in animal admissions following a week-plus of celebrations.
Officials for DACC said its shelters took in 56 more stray dogs from July 1-7 than it did from June 1-7. That equates to an increase of more than 20%.
| Date | Stray Admissions – All Animals | Stray Admissions – Dogs Only |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Jun | 65 | 30 |
| 2-Jun | 53 | 32 |
| 3-Jun | 95 | 36 |
| 4-Jun | 96 | 35 |
| 5-Jun | 89 | 33 |
| 6-Jun | 95 | 36 |
| 7-Jun | 93 | 34 |
| Total (June 1 – June 7) | 586 | 276 |
| 1-Jul | 105 | 45 |
| 2-Jul | 94 | 47 |
| 3-Jul | 108 | 51 |
| 4-Jul | 86 | 35 |
| 5-Jul | 115 | 47 |
| 6-Jul | 97 | 46 |
| 7-Jul | 54 | 23 |
| Total (July 1 – July 7) | 629 | 332 |
| % Change | 7.34% | 20.29% |
While campaigns urge Americans to take it easy with Fourth of July festivities for the benefit of dogs, as well as those with sensory issues and veterans who may have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, fireworks continue to be a major part of celebrations for many families.
To protect your animal friends from becoming lost in the future, experts suggest keeping your animals inside, providing comfortable spaces for them to relax away from the excitement, drown out the sound of explosions with white noise or other sounds, and consider buying calming treats or acquiring a prescription pharmaceutical from your vet.
Animal owners are also urged to ensure that their pets have collars with current contact information or are microchipped to help animal rescuers make happy reunions.