CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – While many people are bracing themselves for dazzling fireworks shows, Montgomery County Animal Care and Control, along with other shelters across the nation, are bracing for an annual surge in missing animal reports.

Every year, dozens of dogs and cats go missing in the days leading up to and following the Fourth of July in our county, according to MCACC Director Dave Kaske, who says, “Some of the biggest reasons are pet owners not taking the necessary precautions leading up to the July Fourth Holiday.”

Stray dog at the Montgomery County Animal Care and Control (Montgomery County Government, Contributed)

But this year, officials like Kaske are urging owners to take simple, proactive steps before the celebrations begin — steps that could make the difference between a safe pet and a missing one.

Noticeable spike in lost pets

“Dogs and cats in general just have more sensitive hearing than we do,” Kaske told Clarksville Now. “Due to pets having this more sensitive hearing they are able to hear sounds at a much lower level and at a greater distance than we can as humans. Thus, any loud noises such as fireworks, gunshots, thunder… pets are much more sensitive to these noises and will affect their anxiety levels.”

Historically, the week leading up to Independence Day and the days following, MCACC sees an increase in the number of pets reported lost, as well as responses to stray, roaming dogs and stray, confined dogs.

“We would typically see between 45-50 Dogs at Large and Stray Confined Dog complaints during the days leading up and after July 4th as opposed to our normal call load would be between 15-20 calls,” Kaske said. “We highly recommend that pet owners not leave pets outdoors unattended this time of year. Even if pets are in a fenced-in yard or tethered, we have had many instances where the pets that become scared have jumped fences and pulled tethers out of the ground to get away from the noise.”

Steps you can take to keep your pets safe

Kaske advised that there are several steps and precautionary measures that pet owners can take to keep their pets safe during Independence Day:

  1. Be sure your pets have a legible ID tag affixed to their collar, ensure they are microchipped and that the microchip is up to date with your most recent information.
  2. Get current photos of your pet from all angles and take photos of your pet with you and your family. This will aid in ensuring your pet is returned to its rightful owner, and you will have current photos to post on social media should your pet become lost.
  3. Exercise your dog at dusk or just before sunset. Wearing them out will help with their anxiety.
  4. If you have guests over, advise your guests to keep your pets away from open flames, fireworks and other party favors.
  5. Prep your home for your pet if they are sensitive to loud noises:
    1. Have a safe space prepared for your pet to go to that is away from the noise.
    2. Leave a TV, Radio, or some type of white noise on for your pet to help drown out the fireworks.
    3. If your pet needs a “thunder shirt” or medications due to the fireworks, be sure you have those items ready and refilled through your veterinarian.
  6. Check all entry and exit points of your home and yard to ensure all doors/windows are secure, fences are in good repair, and gates are closed and locked.

“Many of our loose dogs we take in this time of year were due to owners leaving pets in a fenced in yard that had a fence that was in disrepair, the pet dug under the fence, or the gate was not secure,” Kaske said.

What to do if your pet goes missing

If your pet does go missing during celebrations, there are several resources you can utilize to locate them.

Start by completing a lost pet report with MCACC by visiting their website. Kaske added that owners can also fill out different lost pet reports at www.petcolove.org/lost as well as www.pawboost.com.

Be sure to post photos of your pet on social media, especially on lost and found pet pages and neighborhood pages.

“Take active measures to go out and look for your pet,” Kaske advised. “Do not anticipate your pet will just return home or someone will find it and return it.”

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