Overview

• Animal control agencies report a 30%–60% jump in lost-pet reports nationwide between July 4 and 6, straining local shelters.
• New desensitization methods include using snapped spaghetti, bubble wrap or recorded pops to acclimate pets to fireworks sounds.
• Tracking devices such as AirTags and GPS collars are increasingly recommended to speed reunification of escaped animals.
• Veterinarians suggest natural calming aids like pheromone plug-ins, L-tryptophan supplements and anti-anxiety wraps for anxious pets.
• Experts urge owners to update ID tags, confirm microchip registration and bolster local shelter capacity to cope with holiday surges.