July 4 Fireworks Cause Spike In Lost Dog Reports: What IL Pet Owners Should Know

Illinois residents who are planning to take their dogs along on Fourth of July outings — or even if they’re leaving them at home — should prepare now for what they’ll do to keep their pets comfortable and safe, especially during fireworks shows.

The days around July 4 are historically the busiest for lost dog reports, according to data from Shelter Animals Count, a national database for animal shelter statistics maintained by the ASPCA.

Shelters typically take in more stray dogs on July 5 than on any other day of the year, reinforcing the need for more public awareness and planning by shelters and rescue groups before fireworks start going off, Shelter Animals Count said.

The Buddy Foundation, a volunteer-run nonprofit animal shelter in Arlington Heights, is urging pet owners to keep dogs indoors as much as possible during barbecues, family outings and fireworks around the Fourth of July holiday.

"Even owners who don't think their dogs will be frightened by fireworks have learned the hard way as their dogs are turned into shelters and animal control," Janet Leahy, of The Buddy Foundation, tells Patch.

Founded in 1995 as a no-kill safe haven for stray, abused and abandoned animals, The Buddy Foundation works to place animals in permanent homes while also providing long-term care for those that are not adopted. The shelter is located at 65 W. Seegers Road.

Leahy said the warning comes at a difficult time for shelters, with adoptions down and many facilities already at or beyond capacity.

"Adoptions have been at a low for many shelters lately," Leahy said. "Many shelters are at overcapacity with dogs and cats."

The Buddy Foundation recently had six dogs and 16 cats left in cages on its front porch in the early morning hours, Leahy said.

"Please keep an eye on your pets this 4th of July holiday so your dog doesn't end up not only frightened by the fireworks but scared in a shelter waiting for you to come find your fur baby," Leahy said.

Leahy also encouraged dog owners to make sure their pets are microchipped and that contact information is current.

"In case your dog does get loose, we can trace your best friend back to you," Leahy said.

The following is a list of other animal shelters in Chicagoland that may be busy this 4th of July:

• Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter — 2200 Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods/Deerfield. Offers dog and cat adoptions, including adoptable dogs listed through its shelter site.
• Border Tails Rescue — 2975 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Dog-focused rescue and adoption organization serving the Chicagoland area, including local and international rescue dogs.
• Wright-Way Rescue — North Shore Humane Center, Morton Grove. Nonprofit Chicago-area animal adoption center with adoptable pets, including dogs and puppies.
• PAWS Chicago — Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center, 1997 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago. No-kill animal welfare organization with dog and cat adoptions.
• Anti-Cruelty — 157 W. Grand Ave., Chicago. Open-door animal shelter with adoptable dogs and other animals.
• Chicago Canine Rescue — 5272 N. Elston Ave., Chicago. Dog-focused nonprofit rescue that provides medical, behavioral and adoption services for homeless dogs.
• One Tail at a Time — Bucktown Adoption Center, 2144 N. Wood St., Chicago; South Loop Everyday Adoption Center, 1101 S. Canal St., Chicago. No-kill Chicago rescue with adoptable dogs, cats and other animals.
• West Suburban Humane Society — 1901 W. Ogden Ave., Downers Grove. Volunteer-based animal welfare organization that cares for dogs and cats in its facility and foster homes.
• Anderson Humane — Main shelter, 1000 S. La Fox St., South Elgin; adoption centers also in Bloomingdale and North Aurora. Offers adoptable pets, including dogs, and post-adoption support.
• A.R.F.-Animal Rescue Foundation — 531 W. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton. No-kill suburban Chicago rescue with adoptable dogs and cats.
• Red Door Animal Shelter — 2410 W. Lunt Ave., Chicago. No-kill shelter focused on cats, dogs and rabbits; dogs available for adoption are housed in foster homes.

Why Dogs Don’t Like Fireworks

The loud booms, flashes, and vibrations of fireworks can make a dog’s brain read the situation as danger. The animal’s body floods with stress signals, its heart rate goes up, and the dog may stop thinking clearly. At that point, the dog isn’t being “bad” or stubborn but is panicking.

A dog in that state might suddenly yank the leash, slip a collar, jump a fence, dart through an open door, or run without seeming to hear its owners’ calls. The dog may not recognize normal commands because its brain is focused on one thing — getting away from the scary sound.

Once that survival response kicks in, even a normally obedient dog can act completely out of character.

What To Do If Dog Bolts

If your dog bolts during fireworks, treat it like an urgent lost-pet situation.

Don’t chase after them if you can still see them. Chasing can make a scared dog run farther. Instead, crouch down, use a calm voice, and try familiar words like “treat,” “car,” or “home.” Shake a treat bag, open a car door, or sit on the ground to seem less threatening.

If you’ve lost sight of the dog, start searching close to home. Many dogs hide nearby under porches, in garages, behind bushes, in sheds, or along fence lines. Search quietly with a flashlight, leash, treats, and a familiar-smelling blanket or toy. Let your neighbors know right away and ask them to check their yards, garages, sheds, under decks and security cameras. Give them a clear photo and your phone number.

File lost-dog reports with animal control, shelters and vets. If your dog is microchipped, call the chip company to make sure your contact info is up-to-date. Post on neighborhood social media groups and to neighborhood text chains. Include the dog’s name, photo, last-seen location and time, collar/microchip status, temperament, and your contact info.

Some dogs circle back home, but it’s a good idea to leave a scent trail to help them find their way. Put out your dog’s bed, blanket, your worn shirt, and water. Avoid leaving food unattended if it could attract wildlife, but you can use food while actively watching. If you can safely leave access to a fenced yard, garage, or porch area, do that.

When you find your dog, stay calm. Don’t scold the dog. Clip the leash securely, check for injuries, and give the dog a quiet place to decompress. If the dog was hit, limping, bleeding, breathing strangely, or seems dazed, call an emergency vet.

Keep Dogs Inside

A dog that has been calm around fireworks in the past is not guaranteed to stay that way forever; noise sensitivity can develop or worsen with age, experience, or health changes, so it is sensible to plan ahead.

Common signs of fireworks fear include trembling, pacing, hiding, panting, barking, trying to escape, drooling, clinginess, or refusing food.

Veterinarians and animal welfare experts recommend keeping dogs indoors. Close windows and curtains, turn on the TV or some other white noise, make sure they have a safe hiding spot, and make sure they have a collar with current ID tags, an updated microchip, and a recent photo on your phone.

Giving them a toy to chew can calm dogs during fireworks, according to the ASPCA. For severe panic, a vet can recommend medication. It’s a good idea to give a practice dose before the commotion of fireworks starts to see how the dog responds, the organization said.

Dogs On Road Trips

The best thing is to leave the dog at home, but with many families taking road trips this year, that’s not always possible.

Treat your dog like a toddler near a swimming pool: Assume one open door, one loud boom or one distracted moment could be enough for them to run. A dog that might stay put at home can bolt from a rest stop, rental house, campground, hotel hallway or open car door if fireworks go off nearby.

Before you leave, make sure your dog has three layers of ID: a collar tag with your current cell number, an up-to-date microchip, and — if possible — a GPS collar or tracker. The American Kennel Club calls tags, microchips and GPS collars a “three-pronged approach” to improving the chances of getting a lost dog back.

A GPS collar is especially useful on a road trip because your dog may not know the area well enough to find its way back.

At rest stops, use extra caution. Keep your dog leashed before opening the car door, and consider a harness plus a regular collar so you have two points of control. Avoid letting kids hold the leash in busy or noisy places if the dog is strong or nervous. Fireworks can start unexpectedly, even during daylight hours.

• Related: This Dog Was Spooked By A Loud Noise And Has Been Missing 3 Years