This is Lip, aka Ellipsis, aka Lippers Dippers, aka Judy. Photo by Meghan Goth | LINK nky

While fireworks are a fun way to celebrate America’s birthday for lots of people, for pets, it can be a long and harrowing day.

An uptick in strays often follows the Fourth of July holiday, according to the Kentucky Humane Society, because they are startled by fireworks and run without thinking.

Here are some tips from the Humane Society to help your pets feel safe — and to keep you from roaming the streets Saturday night yelling for Cooper McStormy Pants (we won’t judge. My dad was a police officer in college and had a dog named Robber. We all make choices).

This is a happy girl who found her dog (and an astonished mom who definitely thought she was dead). Photo by Meghan Goth | LINK nky
  • Leave them at home. Yes, we know you love Mr. Pants, but he will be much happier if he can stay home in his Anxiety Vest and hide under the bed. If your pet needs a walk, take them out early or wait until the wee hours, when the neighbors all run out of the fireworks they bought in Indiana.
  • Keep them inside. Once, Miss Lip (Ellipsis is her full name. Told you. Choices.) was outside going potty right as the fireworks went off, and she ran five miles before finding shelter with four pitt bulls, who’s owner then found us on Next Door. Poor Lip’s pads on her paws were all torn up, but it was a very happy reunion. In any case, turn on some music or a fan to soften the noise. Some pets need a mild sedative, which you can get at your veterinarian.
  • Make sure they have ID. No, it doesn’t need to be a photo ID, but your phone number should be on their tag so that if someone finds Mr. Pants, they can call and deliver him home safely. While most pets are microchipped, the chips do not act as a GPS device (I learned this when Lip ran off), so they are only helpful if a shelter finds your pet and scans the chip to find your information.
  • Play the distraction game. Does Mr. Pants like to play with tennis balls? Buy a bunch. Is watching Shark Week more his thing? Put that on and crank it up. Heck, even a yummy snack could help. Think about what makes you feel better when you’re scared!
  • Clean up. Make sure all fireworks debris is cleared from your yard or anywhere Mr. Pants is going to go sniffing around on the morning of July 5. If animals ingest debris, according to the Humane Society, they could choke or be exposed to toxic or poisonous substances. And you’ll have to clean up lots of gross puke.

As LINK nky's executive editor, Meghan Goth oversees editorial operations across all platforms. Before she started at LINK in 2022, she managed the investigative and enterprise teams at WCPO 9 in Cincinnati....