How To Keep Pets Safe From Colorado Fireworks, Chaos On July 4

More pets go missing July 4 and July 5 than any other day, according to the American Kennel Club.

The Fourth of July is packed with patriotism, parties, barbecues and fireworks, and while our four-legged friends love to be tossed a leftover hot dog here and there, it can also be a stressful time for them. More pets go missing during the July 4 weekend than any other time of year, according to the American Kennel Club.

“There are many factors that influence this — barbecues, many people coming in and out of the house, and even the noise of the fireworks, which may cause pets to panic and they will try to flee somewhere," Dallas Hersa, the club's VP of sales and marketing, said in a media release. "They don’t know where the noise is coming from and they try to escape because they don’t understand.”

Loud bangs can terrify pets. A dog was rescued last week in Arvada after spending three weeks away from home. A thunderstorm startled her and she escaped from her yard in Denver.

Find out what's happening in Arvadafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The American Kennel Club offers the following tips for pet owners on Independence Day:

Make sure your dog or cat always has access to a comfortable, quiet, safe place to hide, whether it is a closet, under a piece of furniture or in their crate.
Keep toys in your pet’s safe area to make the area more fun and to provide distractions from loud noises and flashes.
Make time to exercise your pet during daylight hours and keep them safely indoors after fireworks begin.
At dusk, close your windows and curtains and turn on some music to muffle the noise.
Ignore signs of fear unless the pet is likely to get hurt, and never punish them if they are scared.
Make sure your pet’s AKC Reunite microchip enrollment is up to date in case your pet manages to escape, by visiting AKC online at www.akcreunite.org or call 800-252-7894.

If you've lost your pet, you can contact the following Metro Denver Animal Welfare Alliance shelter members: