Fido & Fireworks: Keeping Your Dog Calm On The Fourth Of July

With the Fourth of July coming up this week, many people are focused on cookouts, parades and fireworks. But it's important not to forget about our furry friends who can become extremely frightened by fireworks.

Sadly, July 5 is the busiest day of the year at animal shelters, according to the American Humane Association. Many pets terrified by fireworks run away the night before and their owners end up searching streets and shelters for them without any guarantee of finding them.

How best to guarantee Fido stays as safe as possible on the Fourth? Animal Friends has several suggestions:

• Properly identify your pet. Make sure the animal is wearing a collar and the identification tag is current and readable. A microchip updated with your current contact information also is advisable.

• Protect your pet's sensitive ears by keeping it in a quiet, sheltered area of your home come fireworks time.

• Create white noise and eliminate outside sights and sounds by putting on the TV or radio and lowering the blinds.

• Have a plan ready in case your pet escapes or becomes lost. Familiarize yourself with local animal care facilities, shelters and emergency veterinary hospitals.

• If your pet does run away, immediately post flyers with a photo of around the neighborhood, especially at schools, parks and dog parks.