As preparations are being made for Fourth of July celebrations, Louisville Metro Animal Services asks that you keep your pets in mind. While many look forward to the traditional celebratory sights and sounds of fireworks, this can be a scary and traumatic experience for pets. When dogs experience a large amount of fear and anxiety at once, their initial response is to retreat and hide. However, there are some preventative measures you can take to protect your pet(s) and keep them feeling safe.

Leave pets inside

Close all windows and curtains to muffle the sound of fireworks, and always provide plenty of food and water. Turning on a radio, television or fan also may help calm your pet and distract them from the sounds of fireworks. Owners who are leaving town for the holiday should consider boarding their pets.

Leave pets at home during firework displays

Animals have a heightened sense of hearing. Loud fireworks can be deafening and cause pets to panic and want to hide. It is best to keep your pets at home where they feel safe. If you are attending Fourth of July festivities, take your pets for quiet walks before or after the fireworks display.

Make sure pets are always wearing collars with identification tags

This even applies to pets that only live indoors. The ID tag should include the owner’s current address and phone number. The best way to ensure you will be reunited with a lost pet is a microchip because collars or tags can come off. Pet owners should also make sure their pet is licensed. It is not only the law, but it will also ensure LMAS knows how to contact you, should your pet become lost and enters the LMAS shelter.

Clean up firework debris before letting pets outside

If pets eat the debris, it may cause digestive problems or serious injuries. Owners should contact their veterinarian immediately if their pets have been exposed to any potentially toxic or poisonous substances.

If your pet is lost

• Report a lost pet to LMAS as soon as possible to Animal Services.

• Hang up flyers with your pet’s photo and your contact info around your neighborhood. You should also check lost and found postings on social media.

• Visit the LMAS Shelter to search our kennels for your missing pet and get assistance from lost and found services.

• Check back often because stray pets enter the shelter daily. Finders often wait a few days and will try to find its owner, before bringing the pet to the shelter.

If you find a stray pet

• Complete a found pet report online and upload a photo with Animal Services.

• Have the pet scanned for a microchip, which can be done at most veterinary clinics or at the LMAS Shelter.

• If you decide to keep a stray pet while looking for its owner, be sure to post flyers around your neighborhood and search social media posts in your area.

• If you cannot keep a stray pet or have not been able to locate an owner, bring the pet to the LMAS Shelter located at 3528 Newburg Road, Monday - Saturday from 12-6pm.

• If you are unable to transport a stray pet to the shelter and have it contained, contact animal control to have the pet picked up and brought to the shelter at 502-473-PETS.