Best Friends Animal Society Offers 4 Tips to Keep Pets Calm and Safe Over the Fourth of July

4th of July Dog Patriotic Adoption
Best Friends Animal Society
Media Contact
Alina Hauptman : alinah@bestfriends.org

Food. Fireworks. Parties. While many people love the July 4 holiday, it can be traumatic for pets who have a phobic reaction to the loud sights and sounds that are synonymous with Independence Day celebrations.  

With dogs and cats getting spooked and running away from yards, doors, and even screened windows to escape the chaos, the day can go from being festive to fraught for pet owners, too.

Dr. Erin Katribe, medical director at Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of cats and dogs in America’s shelter in 2025, suggests being proactive as much as possible by following the four tips below:

  • Bring all pets indoors whenever neighborhood fireworks displays are likely to occur and secure them in a quiet room. Close the windows, draw the curtains, and surround them with their favorite toys and treats. It can help to play calming music or turn on the television to drown out the frightening sounds.  
  • Always keep pets away from lit fireworks. Some pets will chase after the bright moving objects and are at risk of being burned or blinded in the process.    
  • Be sure to keep unlit fireworks out of reach, as fireworks contain substances that are toxic if ingested.
  • Ensure your pets are wearing identification tags with your current contact information. Also, make sure their microchip contact information is up-to-date.  

By following the above safety precautions, pets can stay safe at home and out of already crowded shelters.  

“I recommend that all pet owners find out the contact information of their local emergency clinic and local shelters ahead of time, so that it’s quickly within reach in those unexpected moments,” cautioned Katribe. 

Best Friends Animal Society recently launched its new HOME campaign to inspire people to adopt a pet. Data shows that if just 6 percent more Americans would adopt rather than purchase a pet from a breeder or store, America would be no-kill.  

If you are looking for a dog or cat, now is an ideal time to bring home a new best friend. To find a local shelter or rescue near you, visit bestfriends.org/home. 

About Best Friends Animal Society

Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and cats in America's shelters and making the entire country no-kill. Founded in 1984, Best Friends runs lifesaving facilities and programs nationwide in partnership with more than 5,000 shelters and rescue organizations. From our headquarters in Kanab, Utah, we also operate the nation's largest no-kill animal sanctuary — a destination that brings our mission to life for thousands of visitors each year. We maintain the most comprehensive animal sheltering data in the country and make it accessible to the public — empowering communities with critical insights into the needs of their local shelters and how they can help. We believe every dog and cat deserves a home. And we believe that, by working together, we can Save Them All®.