More animals go missing on the Fourth of July than any other time of year, make sure your pets are safe with these tips.

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The Busiest Season for Animal Shelters

It's so important to make sure you keep your pets safe during fireworks, as the 4th of July is one of the busiest times for animal shelters.  So many pets go missing during the 4th of July.  It's important to remember that while pets are our "fur babies" they are also still animals.  When animals get scared they tend to bolt, which leads to many missing pets after the 4th of July holiday.

While we may enjoy fireworks, animals don't understand the loud noises and light flashes as we do, so this is a very scary time for them. These helpful tips can help keep your pets as safe as possible.

Check Your Pets ID Tags and Update them if Needed

One of the most simple ways you can help keep your pets safe is by updating their ID tags.  These tags make it so that if your pet does run away if someone catches them, they can quickly contact you.   It's also a good time to check your pet's microchip information as well, and if they aren't microchipped you should make an appointment to get them microchipped.

Take a Photo

Another super easy thing you can do is take an updated photo in good lighting of your pet. This is something I wouldn't have thought about doing, but the American Veterinary Medical Association say taking an updated photo is a good way to help your pet get identified if they happen to get away.

Drown Out the Noise

Pets are more comfortable being in a familiar setting, so when enjoying 4th of July fireworks, it's just best to leave your furry friends at home where they know they are safe. the American Veterinary Medical Association also recommends turning on a TV or radio to help drown out the noise of the fireworks.

Talk to Your Vet

If your pet has anxiety around storms and fireworks, your vet may recommend anxiety medicine for them.  My dog Wrigley is terrified of fireworks and storms to the point of shaking and cowering in corners. It's awful to watch, and I feel so helpless when I can't help her. When her vet prescribed her some anxiety medication, it was a game changer during these stressful situations.

The American Veterinary Medical Association

The AVMA has many other great tips for keeping pets safe during fireworks, like making sure the area your pets are is safe and secure so they can't get away. You can check out more tips on keeping your pets safe during the Fourth of July, here.