How Many Pets are Lost Around the 4th of July?

Did you know that most animal shelters are usually the busiest on July 5th?

Want to know what the correlation is with this phenomena?

Fireworks.

Fireworks can scare the living daylights out of dogs and cats (and wildlife). The loud noises and bright lights can lead your pet to escaping their home, yard or enclosure by whatever means necessary. This could mean injuring themselves and destroying your property.

Is your pet microchipped?

How many of these escapees get to return home? Unfortunately some pet parents never find their pets but one good way to help ensure a reunion is with a microchip.

According to PetAmberAlert’s website, ‘Animal control officials across the country report a 30% increase in lost pets each year between July 4th and 6th’. That’s a tragedy. It puts a hardship on the shelter workers, the pets and the pet parents. This influx in animals means more resources are used to house and feed them and if any require medical care, more money goes out for that if the injured pet is lucky enough to land in a shelter that treats medical issues. Not all shelters seek medical attention for injured animals.

July 4th is over but some people are still setting off fireworks. If you’re a pet parent, please continue to keep your pets safe. Make sure your pet is microchipped, check out this article, Microchipping: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.

And here’s a feel good story about a dog reunion in Scotland, brought about by a microchip and a man taking the dog in to the vet for a scan. Fern was missing for 6 years but her family never gave up their search for her!

Microchipped pets are 2.5 times more likely to be returned home according to PetVet Clinic.

Most veterinarians offer microchipping services and many cities have low-cost vet clinics where chipping can be done. In Muncie, New Castle and Anderson you can get your pet microchipped for around $19 at the PetVet Clinics at Tractor Supply. To find a clinic and dates and times for services, click here.

Helping your pet stay safe,

Kelley Stewart, CEO|Pet Sitter
sit-stay-play In-home pet sitting & more.LLC
“Your pet sitting, dog walking, poop scooping specialists!”

P.S. Have you booked your summer pet sitting visits yet? Get your reservations in soon!