The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and while many in Fort Wayne are gearing up for barbecues and fireworks, animal shelters are bracing for something else entirely: a flood of runaway pets.

Humane Fort Wayne says their shelter sees a 30% to 60% jump in lost pets during the holiday week. Loud fireworks, unfamiliar crowds, and wide-open doors at backyard gatherings all spell disaster for dogs and cats prone to panic.

And that panic? It can lead to animals bolting into the night—often winding up miles away, scared and alone.

Fireworks, fear, and furry friends

Melissa Gibson, Community Relations Manager for Humane Fort Wayne, says now is the time to start preparing—not the day of.

“If your pet’s a flight risk, you can’t wait until the fireworks start going off,” Gibson warned. “Wherever that most insulated space is, get your pet used to being there now, so that they have a safe place and know where they can go with a minimal amount of noise.”

And for many animals, that fear is very real. What might be an exciting spectacle for us is a terrifying, disorienting ordeal for them.

One loud boom is all it takes.

Your 4th of July pet safety checklist

The shelter is urging pet owners to take preventive steps well before the big day arrives. Here’s what they suggest:

• Try an anxiety-relief garment like a Thundershirt

• Talk to your vet about calming medications if your pet is easily startled

• Prep a safe, quiet space indoors where your pet can retreat

• Get your pet microchipped, or confirm your current chip is still active

• Attach a pet tag to their collar with your name and phone number

And perhaps most importantly, don’t bring your dog to fireworks shows. It’s not fun for them—it’s traumatic.

A quiet room could be your pet’s best friend

Every house has that one room where it’s just a little quieter, maybe an interior bathroom or a basement. That’s the room you want to start prepping now.

Leave your pet’s bed in there. Maybe add a blanket. Throw in some toys, or even play white noise or calming music on a speaker.

The goal? Help them associate the space with comfort.

One small paragraph here to keep things natural.

It sounds basic, but training them to retreat there on their own can help more than you’d think when chaos erupts outside.

What if your pet still runs off?

Even with all the right precautions, things happen. Doors swing open. Pets slip out. Panic sets in.

So what do you do if your pet disappears during the holiday?

“Number one, you need to post anywhere and everywhere you can think about,” Gibson said. “There’s a whole army of pet lovers behind that keeping eyes peeled for animals.”

That includes local Facebook groups, neighborhood apps, and even community bulletin boards.

Here’s where you can start looking if your pet goes missing:

Even if your pet is chipped, they’ll likely be identified faster if they have a collar with your name and phone number clearly written on it.

It’s not just dogs either

Cats can be just as panicked by the holiday—and much harder to find if they bolt.

While cats are often kept indoors already, all it takes is one screen door left ajar or a guest who doesn’t notice them dart out. And unlike dogs, cats tend to hide rather than run.

That makes local groups even more vital.

Sometimes the best way to find a missing cat is through a neighbor who’s spotted it under a porch or in a shed.

One last reminder

Fireworks might light up the sky, but for pets, they can be overwhelming, even dangerous.

And Humane Fort Wayne isn’t alone in raising the alarm. Across the U.S., July 5 is consistently the busiest day of the year for animal shelters, as panicked animals picked up overnight start pouring in.

That’s why local groups are pushing harder than ever this year for early prep.

If you’re planning on celebrating, just make sure your pets are ready for it too.