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Record Surge in Missing Pets Drives New Safety Tactics After Fourth of July Fireworks

Pet owners and shelters across the country are adopting simulated-firework drills, GPS trackers, additional shelter support to curb a record wave of holiday escapes.

A dog is distracted as the Iva Fireworks Fourth of July event does not bother her Sunday, June 29, 2025. There are many dogs sensitive to fireworks explosions.
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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.