July 5 Busiest Day Of Year For Manchester Area Animal Shelters

MANCHESTER, NJ — When Manchester residents break out the fireworks to celebrate the 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.

The Associated Humane Society at Popcorn Park in Lacey urges people to keep their pets inside for the pet's safety.

"Sometimes, even keeping them inside isn't enough, as we've heard horror stories of dogs diving through front windows and jumping the fence in the backyard due to their fear of the big blasts and booms," the shelter said in a post on its Facebook page.

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.

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:

NORTHERN OCEAN COUNTY ANIMAL FACILITY
615 Frreemont Ave., Jackson
732-657-8086; NOCAF@OCHD.ORG

TOMS RIVER ANIMAL FACILITY
235 Oak Ave., Toms River
732-341-1000, ext. 8450

ASSOCIATED HUMANE POPCORN PARK SHELTER
1 Humane Way, Forked River
609-693-1900

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.

If your pet goes missing, you can post directly on Patch and we'll help get the word out. You can create an article (here's how) or on our Neighbors section (here). Or email karen.wall@patch.com.

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

• Lost Dogs of Ocean County
• Pawboost
• New Jersey Lost Dogs, Cats and Pets
• The Center for Lost Pets
• Lost Pets in Ocean County