Although community fireworks may be canceled, take precautions for celebrations closer to home that may startle your dog. Do not let your guard down! Fireworks may be closer than usual as neighbors put on their own backyard celebrations. The sad statistic of more dogs go missing on the 4th of July remains true. The following are a few reminders on what to do to protect your pup, as well as some useful tips and links if sadly they do go missing.
Important advice about the 4th of July and other events with fireworks:
Secure your dog in a safe location when fireworks will be present. There is NO need for your dog to attend such celebrations, even if it is in your neighborhood. Keep them indoors and safe with plenty of “white noise” such as TV, radio, or air conditioner to help block the scary sounds. Even the most relaxed dog can suddenly react differently to fireworks, especially if they are close.
Also be aware that neighbors may be setting off personal fireworks without warning. Even if your yard is fenced, when taking a dog outside in the evening keep them leashed. Even the most obedient dogs can get startled by the sudden unfamiliar sounds and run. When frightened some dogs don’t even recognize or come to the voice of their owner.
Be alert following fireworks. Unexploded fireworks on beaches, in parks, and in neighborhoods following the 4th of July pose additional danger to pets.
Precautionary measures to take BEFORE the 4th of July:
1. Check that collars are in good condition and tags are firmly attached with owner’s contact name and current cell phone number. If your dog will be outside on the 4th of July we urge you to get a Martingale collar which when properly fitted are harder to slip out of when frightened.
2. If your dog is microchipped, make sure the microchip is up to date with owner’s name, address, and cell phone number.
3. Keep a recent full body photo of your dog with you in case he does go missing. Also take a recent photo of you with your dog in case you need proof identifying he is yours when found.
4. Program into your phone the contact information for the Animal Control Officer, as well as Police Department (nonemergency number) and area Animal Shelters.
5. Program the contact information of the local Emergency Animal Hospitals, not only if your dog goes missing but in the event he gets injured over the holiday weekend.
6. Keep your dog on a leash, even when at home. A dog with the best recall will not be as responsive when frightened.
What to do if your dog is LOST:
1. Leave something out that smells familiar as soon as your dog goes missing. This could be a dirty t-shirt, a favorite toy, or blanket. Set up a food station where your dog was last seen with favorite treats, hot dogs, and smelly food that will attract your dog. Also put out water.
2. Most dogs when frightened will go into survival mode when lost. Instruct everyone that is helping DO NOT CALL THE DOG and DO NOT CHASE THE DOG. This could cause him to panic and run. This includes you! When frightened many dogs don’t even recognize their owner’s voice. If your dog is seen, sit or lay down, speak softly, avoid direct eye contact, and gently toss out treats to the side of the dog to lure your dog in to you. On the Maine Lost Dog Recovery Facebook page, you can find a Calming Signals video by Missing Pet Partnership that will help you safely attract and capture a lost dog. Remember get low or lay flat, speak softly, avoid direct eye contact and give your dog time to recognize a familiar voice and smell.
3. Contact the local and surrounding areas Animal Control Officers, animal shelters, and veterinary offices. In Maine you can find a list of Animal Control Officers by town with contact information at Maine.gov. Please note that this information is not always up to date. Contact the local Police Department (nonemergency line) or Town Hall for additional help.
4. Contact volunteer organizations to help. Many states have lost dog recovery volunteer programs, including Maine Lost Dog Recovery (lost dog form), Granite State Dog Recovery, and Missing Dogs Massachusetts (lost dog form). On these Facebook sites you will find links to forms on their websites for reporting a lost dog. You will be asked to fill out the form with as much information as possible, and submit a recent photo of your missing dog, preferably a full body photo.
5. These volunteer organizations will help to produce a flyer that they will post on their Facebook pages, as well as other social media sites that they may use. You are responsible for printing and distributing that flyer in the area your dog went missing. Be prepared to hang 150-300 in the immediate 3 to 5 mile radius to help generate realtime sightings. While you have the flyers printed, be sure to pick up clear plastic sleeves and a heavy duty stapler. Flyers should be hung on high traffic roads, on alternating street sides, and intersections where people have to stop. Flyers may also be hung at community centers, stores, post offices, and animal hospitals, but always ask permission first.
6. Even though posting on social media can be helpful, IT IS NOT ENOUGH. Not everyone has access to it, can contact you through it, will be in the area where the dog is lost, or will be looking at Facebook during the fireworks. Contact the local Animal Control Officers, Police Department, and Animal Shelters. Also don’t suspend your independent efforts once you contacted agencies for help. No one knows your dog better than you. Your dog needs your help in getting home.
7. Assign someone to be the point person to monitor realtime sightings on Facebook and calls, and to help focus the search effort. At the same time have the owner and close family members that the dog is familiar with walk the area where the pup was last seen. Remember DO NOT CHASE. DO NOT YELL. REMAIN CALM. Get low or lay flat, speak softly, avoid direct eye contact and give your dog time to recognize a familiar voice and smell, to have him approach you.
8. Be patient. Don’t give up. The dog may wait for things to calm down before emerging from a hiding place. Some dogs are found quickly, but it could also take days, weeks or months. During that time keep in contact with the local animal shelters, Animal Control Officers, and veterinary offices by personally visiting, sharing photos and lost dog flyers.
9. When your dog is found, please remember to take down the flyers; and notify everyone who is helping with search that your dog is home safe including volunteer dog recovery groups, Animal Control Officers, and Animal Shelters.
What to do if you FIND a lost dog WITHOUT ID TAGS:
1. Take all possible measures to keep the found dog contained and safe. Do NOT take the dog out of the area from where it was found, unless the dog is in danger. If it safe to do so, take the dog for a walk (on a secure leash, check collar is securely attached to avoid slipping out of it) in the area in which it was found. He may lead you back home. Be sure to ask homeowners in the vicinity if they recognize the dog.
2. Contact the local Animal Control Officer (it is required by law in most states) and animal shelters. In Maine you can find a list of Animal Control Officers by town with contact information at Maine.gov. Please note that this information is not always up to date. Contact the local Police Department (nonemergency line) or Town Hall for additional help. When contacting these agencies ask if they can do a full body scan with a Universal scanner to search for microchip with contact information.
3. Contact volunteer organizations to help. Many states have lost dog recovery volunteer programs, including Maine Lost Dog Recovery (found form), Granite State Dog Recovery, and Missing Dogs Massachusetts (found dog form). On these Facebook sites you will find links to forms for reporting a found dog. You will be asked to fill out the form with as much information as possible, and submit a photo of the found dog, preferably a full body photo.
4. Even though posting on social media can be helpful, IT IS NOT ENOUGH. Not everyone has access to, can contact you, will be in the area, or will be looking at your Facebook page. Please print and post the found dog flyers created by the volunteer organization, and do internet searches for possible postings by the dog’s family. This includes searching Craig’s List and local newspapers.
5. Please do not assume the dog is neglected based on it’s appearance. A dog that has been missing, especially for a long period of time, can quickly become dirty, matted and thin. Also when reuniting a lost dog with it’s owner, please ask for some proof such as a photo.
Important Links for Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts Lost Dog Organizations:
Maine: Maine Lost Dog Recovery
New Hampshire: Granite State Dog Recovery
Massachusetts: Missing Dogs Massachusetts
And remember to keep an eye on Cats too! Maine Lost Cat Recovery
Thank you Morgan Miles, a volunteer with Maine Lost Dog Recovery, for answering my questions for this article! Also THANK YOU to all the volunteers and Facebook followers of Lost Dog Recovery groups for your dedication and help in reuniting lost dogs with their families!
