Loud fireworks and raucous holiday parties can easily spook pets on the Fourth of July, and animal-advocacy groups regularly urge people to protect their furry friends on the holiday to ensure they don’t run away and wind up in shelters. Dogs and cats can escape from small openings in houses an d fenced yards in search of a safe place and may be injured in traffic or wind up in a crowded local shelter, officials warned. Animal-care experts offered a series of tips aimed at protecting pets: Make sure pets have up-to-date identification tags and, if possible, a microchip registered with owner contact information. Keep pets inside in an enclosed, comfortable place with some “white noise” for distraction. If pets must go outside, make sure gates and fences are very secure. Create a safe space for pets at home, off limits to guests, with windows closed and covered, and plenty of water and food. Be sure to leave animals with a responsible party if leaving town for the holiday. Extra helpful tips Owners who do lose their pets, despite all precautions, are urged to quickly post signs in the neighborhood and go to the city or county animal shelter nearest to where the animal was last seen with a photo and detailed information about the dog or cat.  It is important to consider that fireworks oftentimes kick off days before the actual holiday. Starting your routine several nights before July 4 can be a helpful trick so your pet knows where their safe space is and what to expect. It’s not just cats and dogs that react to fireworks; horses, livestock, rabbits, birds and other pets can be easily startled by sudden booms and flashes. Large animals like horses are safest in familiar stalls or paddocks with secure fencing, since panic can lead to bolting or injury. Smaller pets, including rabbits and birds, should be moved to interior rooms and kept away from windows, with cages partially covered to dim the light and soften the noise. No matter the species, creating a calm, enclosed environment and checking on them periodically can help prevent stress‑related accidents. Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in 2022. ...read more read less