July 5 Is Busiest Day Of Year For Maryland Animal Shelters

MARYLAND — When Maryland residents break out the fireworks, bottle rockets and Roman candles to celebrate the upcoming 4th of July holiday, local animal shelters will be bracing for what usually ends up being the busiest day of their year.

More pets go missing July 4-5 than any other days of the year, according to the American Kennel Club.

As a result, animal shelters across the country consistently report a huge uptick in the number of dogs and cats they take in over the Independence Day holiday.

Before the Fourth of July, Baltimore County Animal Services reported its shelter was full and not accepting any animals surrendered by their owners.

In nearby Anne Arundel County, the Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control facility reported it was "bursting with animals" and had waived adoption fees starting July 1 until further notice.

Dallas Harsa, vice president of sales and marketing at AKC Reunite, said on the organization’s website there are many factors that influence the increase in animals. Through the years, AKC Reunite has helped return more than 500,000 lost pets to their owners.

“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,” Harsa said. “They don’t know where the noise is coming from and they try to escape because they don’t understand.”

Here’s the issue: Dogs have a heightened sense of hearing that makes the booming, buzzing, hissing, crackling, humming and whistling of fireworks a traumatic experience.

"The most important thing you can do is keep your pet in an escape-proof, fully enclosed space. This likely means keeping them indoors and making sure all exits are closed and locked until you can be sure the firework celebrations have ended," Montgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center advised. "Farm animals can be spooked by the loud noises too! Make sure to double-check any fencing, gates, or latches prior to weekend celebrations to reduce likelihood of escaping."

Officials also advised keeping pet ID tags updated and legible on a collar that fits well.

While pet parents can easily plan around municipal fireworks shows, it becomes more challenging to prepare and calm pets during the spontaneous displays lighting up your street. If outside, dogs can easily bolt. Even dogs that are secured with a leash or chain can break loose and jump a high fence when frightened.

If fireworks send your dog fleeing, the Humane Society of the United States advises first checking with local animal shelters and animal control agencies. Places to check close to home include:

• Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control
• BARCS
• Baltimore County Animal Services
• Baltimore Humane Society
• Cecil County Animal Services
• Howard County Animal Control & Adoption Center
• Humane Society of Carroll County
• Humane Society of Harford County
• Maryland SPCA
• Montgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center
• Rude Ranch Animal Rescue Center
• Prince George's County Animal Services Facility
• SPCA of Anne Arundel County
• SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George's County

Also, search your neighborhood several times a day, and ask neighbors, mail carriers and delivery people if they have seen your dog. It’s also a good idea to hand out recent photographs of your dog along with your contact information.

Also consider checking shelters within a 60-mile radius of your home.

A number of online sites help reunite pets with their owners, including Pet FBI, or Pets Found By Internet. Others include:

• The Center for Lost Pets
• Fido Finder
• Lost Dogs of America
• Lost Pet USA
• Missing Pet Partnership

— By Elizabeth Janney and Megan VerHelst