July 4th and Canada Day — The Biggest Days for Lost Animals — What to Do if You are Planning to Celebrate

If you're in the U.S. or Canada, the start of July is the highest-risk stretch of the year for losing a pet. Canada Day on July 1st and Independence Day on July 4th. Both bring the same combination of fireworks, backyard gatherings, and open gates that send animals bolting.

The Ottawa Humane Society and animal rescue groups across Canada report a massive, predictable surge in lost pets every July 1st. In the United States, animal control officials report a 30-60% increase in lost pets between July 4th and 6th. 10 million pets go missing in the U.S. annually and over 1 million pets in Canada. Fireworks account for a significant share of those cases. The ASPCA reports that one in five lost pets goes missing after being scared by loud noises. According to PetRadar, summer in 2025 had a 50% spike in lost pets compared to winter.

7% of dogs and 15% of cats that go missing never make it home to their owners, according to a survey by the ASPCA. No one ever anticipates losing a pet, and the best way to do so is to be prepared.

It's not just the noise. Open doors, unlatched gates, and the general comings and goings of backyard gatherings give frightened animals an easy escape route.

A little preparation goes a long way. Here's what to do for every type of animal in your care.

Dogs and Cats

Dogs and cats are the most commonly lost animals around the holiday, and their fear responses can be dramatic - vocalizing, hiding, shaking, bolting. Some will dig under fences or push through screens they've never touched before.

Update ID tags and microchip registration now. This is the single most important step. Make sure the contact information on file is current.
Exercise your dog early in the day, before the fireworks start, so they're calmer heading into the evening.
Bring pets inside well before dark - don't wait for the first boom or activity. Take your evening walk earlier than usual; a dog can get scared or spooked on a walk and easily slip out of their lead or harness.
Create a safe room. An interior room with no windows is ideal. Play music or turn on the TV to muffle outside noise.
Provide engagement toys such as a Kong toy stuffed with goodies or a snuffle mat with treats to help focus their attention on something other than the noises.
If your pet goes missing, register them immediately on one or more of these services: Petco Love Lost, Pet FBI, and PawBoost. Also, check your local shelters and Facebook groups.
If your dog has a history of severe anxiety around loud noises, talk to your veterinarian before the holiday about whether a short-term anti-anxiety medication or calming aid makes sense. Don't wait until the day or two before the holiday.

Horses and Livestock

Horses stressed by fireworks are at risk of injuring themselves on fencing or stall hardware - and in severe cases, the stress can trigger colic. Don't underestimate how reactive even a calm, experienced horse can become if they have never experienced fireworks or loud noises.

Find out in advance when and where displays are happening - including neighbors who may set off their own.
Don't change their routine on the day of fireworks. If you plan to stall a horse who normally lives outside, start that transition a week ahead so the change doesn't add to their stress.
Keep them in a secure stall rather than an open pasture during fireworks.
Check for sharp or protruding objects in their stall or pasture that could cause injury if they spook.
Play calming music or white noise in the barn to muffle the booms. Horses have been shown to actively enjoy music, with slow and medium tempos, especially classical and country music.
After the holiday, walk your pastures and remove fireworks debris before letting animals back out.
For cattle and other livestock, the same principles apply - secure them in a barn or pen, check fencing for weak points beforehand, and minimize any additional stressors that day.

Chickens and Backyard Flocks

Chickens are prey animals hardwired to react to sudden loud noises and flashes of light. Many owners are caught off guard by how stressed their flock can get.

Play calming background noise - a fan, white noise machine, or soft music - to help mask firework sounds.
Cover coop windows with blackout fabric or a towel to block the light flashes. Add extra bedding for comfort and check latches and fencing for any gaps.
Avoid going into the coop during peak fireworks activity. A startled chicken can injure herself or flock-mates if someone enters unexpectedly.
Don't panic if egg-laying slows for a few days after - this is a normal stress response and typically resolves on its own.

For All Animals

Start preparing a few days in advance, not the night of. Neighborhoods often set off fireworks in the days leading up to and following the holidays, so check your local calendar and talk to neighbors to understand the timeframe.

If You're Planning to Set Off Fireworks

A few things worth thinking through before you light the first one:

Talk to your neighbors first - especially those with livestock, horses, or anxious dogs. A quick heads-up gives them time to prepare. It costs nothing and makes a real difference.
Keep displays away from residential areas, farms, and natural habitats. The sudden bright flashes and booms can cause wild animals to run into roadways, leading to more car accidents than normal, and wildlife rehabilitation centers are often flooded with injured and orphaned animals after the holiday.
Consider alternatives. Laser light shows, drone displays, and projection events have become genuinely impressive - and communities around the country are adopting them. They're safer for animals, for people with sensory sensitivities and PTSD, and dramatically reduce fire risk.
If you do use fireworks, keep them legal, keep them contained, and clean up debris from the ground before animals are let back outside.

The animals in our lives don't understand human celebrations and holidays. They just hear the noise, feel the fear, and run. A little planning on our part is all it takes to make sure they're still home on the day after the celebrations.