The 4th of july can be a very stressful time for family pets, and some even run away as a result of the noise from fireworks.
So what's the best way to keep pets safe and stress-free?
Plan ahead and keep them inside, says Randy Friedman with Ventura County Animal Services.
"Close the windows and close the shutters! Play some music, maybe something to drown out the sound of the fireworks," he says. "Give them a frozen treat to take their mind off of the sound."
Friedman says that despite pet owners' precautions, the days surrounding the 4th of July are some of their busiest in the year: "One year I think we had 86 dogs come in and 50 cats, just between July second and July sixth."
If a pet does get lost, Friedman suggests making sure to check with neighbors and online.
Having a pet tagged with a microchip will get them home faster, but the chip will need to be registered online in advance.