Sadly more dogs go missing on the 4th of July than other day of the year, and visits to animal hospitals also increase due to medical emergencies. The following are a few reminders for how to have a safe holiday, and what to do if a dog is lost, as well as what to do if you find a missing dog without tags.

Precautionary measures to take BEFORE the 4th of July weekend:

• Check that collars are in good condition, tags are firmly attached, and legible with current information. We recommend martingale collars because when properly fitted are more difficult to slip out of when frightened.
• Make sure microchip information is current and activated. Many microchip databases require yearly renewals.
• Keep a recent full body photo of your dog and a clear photo of its face on your phone under favorites for quick access. Don’t waste time scrolling for just the right one. Also have photo of you with the dog for proof identifying the dog is yours when found.
• If the dog will be staying with a family member, friends, pet sitter or at a kennel, make sure they also have current full body and face photos, as well as emergency contact information, including veterinarian’s phone number.
• Check that fences / areas the dog will be are secure, and not in need of repair.
• If traveling with pet, know the contact information of the local animal hospitals.
• Regardless of traveling or at home, know the contact information of the local animal control officer, animal shelters, lost dog rescue groups, and emergency animal hospitals. They are your best allies in an emergency.

Safety steps to take during the 4th of July weekend:

• Keep your dog on a leash for trips out in your yard and familiar areas. Even in the most familiar places dogs can get startled by sudden unfamiliar sounds and run.
• When vacationing do not assume that your dog will behave or respond to you in the same way he does at home.  A dog with the best recall at the local dog park, may not be as responsive when in a new environment, especially when startled or distracted. Keep them leashed.
• Exercise your dog before evening. A tired dog is a happy less reactive dog.
• Keep them indoors in an area where they feel safe, with plenty of “white noise” such as TV, radio, or air conditioners to block the scary, unfamiliar sounds.
• Do NOT give your pet anti-anxiety medication unless specifically directed by a veterinarian, and give only the recommended dose.
• If having guests over, make sure pets are secured in a safe area away from any doors or gates that may be accidentally left open by distracted or well-meaning visitors.
• If hosting an event, ask someone familiar with the pets to keep an eye on them while you’re distracted with your guests.
• Do not allow your dog to overindulge in holiday treats. Upset tummies and serious illnesses could lead to an expensive trip to the animal hospital. Keep popular cookout foods that are poisonous to dogs out of reach, including onions, chocolate, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and foods high in fat. Chicken and pork bones, corn cobs and watermelon rinds are also dangerous and can cause intestinal blockage and serious damage to the digestive system. Also keep dogs away from tempting garbage receptacles.
• Do NOT take your dogs to events where fireworks will be present. They do not know it is a celebration. Crowds can be disorienting, and loud noises can be terrifying for even the most rock solid dog.
• The day after fireworks keep a close eye on your dogs. Unexploded fireworks on beaches, in neighborhoods, and in parks following the 4th of July pose additional danger to pets. 

What to do if your dog is LOST:

• 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.
• Leave something out that smells like home 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.
• Contact the local and surrounding areas animal control officers, animal shelters, and animal hospitals. Contact the local police department (nonemergency line) or town hall for additional help.
• Contact volunteer lost dog 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 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.
• Lost Dog 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 100-300 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.
• 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 social media during the fireworks. Contact the local animal control officers, police departments, 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.
• Assign someone to be the point person to monitor realtime sightings on social media 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. 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.
• Be patient. Don’t give up.  If in a crowded area, 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 animal hospitals by personally visiting, sharing photos and lost dog flyers.
• 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, animal shelters, and social media posts.

What to do if you FIND a lost dog WITHOUT ID TAGS:

• 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.
• Contact the local animal control officer (it is required by law in most states) and animal shelters.  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.
• Contact volunteer lost dog organizations to help.  Many states have lost dog recovery volunteer programs, including Maine Lost Dog Recovery, Granite State Dog Recovery, and Missing Dogs Massachusetts. On these 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.
• 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 social media 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.
• 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. Sadly there are scammers out there.

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