For the third year in a row, RASKC has partnered with the Missing Pet Partnership to help reunite animals who become lost during the Fourth of July.

Each year, hundreds of pets are scared by fireworks and often run away, ending up in local shelters.

“Pets don’t understand what the noise is all about, and they can get frightened very easily,” said Dr. Gene Mueller, the RASKC manager. “In addition, their hearing is far more sensitive than ours, so loud noises have an even bigger impact on our pets.”

To help pets cope, RASKC says to:

• Keep pets secured indoors in the quietest room while fireworks are going off.
• If pets are usually kept outside, bring them inside or put them in the garage or basement.
• Make sure pets have at least two forms of identification, such as a pet license and personalized tag or a microchip.
• Don’t assume that pets won’t react because they have been fine in the past.
• If a pet is lost, check in-person at local shelters and check back regularly. It could take some time before an animal is brought in.

If a pet does get loose and run away, RASKC volunteers have been training with Missing Pet Partnership to assist owners. Starting July 3 through July 8, volunteers will be deployed at the King County Pet Adoption Center in Kent to help people looking for lost animals.

To learn more, visit the Missing Pet Partnership website or call the RASKC at (206) 296-3936.