Community Corner

Fireworks and Fido: How to Prevent Your Dog from Becoming Another Fourth of July Runaway

More pets run away during 4th of July week than any other time of year, and often fireworks are a main cause. Keep your pet safe this holiday weekend with these tips from Lost Dogs Illinois.

Cubbie wasn’t one to run away. Cubbie’s owner Pam Kluber, of Aurora, says her other two toy poodles liked to run out in the yard, but the 6-year-old rescue poodle didn’t like to be outside for more than a few minutes. 

When some neighbors decided to set off fireworks that night in early July 2011, Cubbie got spooked and bolted. As the fireworks continued, Cubbie just kept running. After weeks of searching, years of trying to track Cubbie down, Kluber still has not found her beloved toy poodle two years later.

Cubbie’s case is far from rare. Cubbie is one of many dogs who has run away because of the loud noises of fireworks, parades, even neighborhood parties, on the Fourth of July. In fact, Animal Control Services sees a 30 percent increase in lost pets from July 4 to 6, according to PetAmberAlert.com.

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“Already we’re starting to see an increase of all the lost and found dogs,” said Susan Taney on July 1.

Taney is the co-founder of a non-profit organization called Lost Dogs Illinois, which has both a website and a Facebook page devoted to reuniting lost and found dogs with their owners. On the site, she lists the following tips to help pet owners keep their dogs secure during nearby fireworks, parades, and thunderstorms:

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  • Exercise will help your dog relax, so take him for a walk and a potty break before the fireworks or festivities begin. Even if you’re in your yard, you may want to leash your dog in case of unexpected noise.
  • Find a safe place indoors for your pet to stay. Ambient noise from a TV, radio, fan or A/C unit can help make pets feel safe.
  • Keep your windows closed. Just last week a dog broke through a screen door and ran away when startled by thunder in a thunderstorm, Taney says.
  • Avoid bringing your dog to your local Independence Day parade.
  • Inspect your fence for openings.
  • Be certain your dog’s tag is readable and up-to-date, his collar is properly fitted and, if your dog has a microchip, the information in the microchip is accurate.

Taney also provides tips to those whose pets do escape.

Taney recommends taking precautions for all dogs, regardless of how unafraid they may have been of loud noises in the past. Dogs that have been fine in past years can still be unexpectedly spooked. Kluber agrees.

“Even if your dog is one that listens to you and never goes out of the yard, I think you really have to expect the unexpected,” Kluber says. “I think you really don’t know how a dog is going to react when they’re scared. Some dogs might run back into the house, and some dogs might turn around and run the other direction.”

Taney says people need to recognize that this could happen to anyone, even the most caring and vigilant of dog owners. She and Kluber both hope people will be less quick to judge owners who’ve lost pets because it truly could happen to anyone.

“Nobody wants to lose their dog,” Kluber says, “But you know, you have to be mindful of your own pets whenever there’s a celebration going on because they might do something unexpected.”


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