While enjoying brews, barbecue and warm weather this Fourth of July, it’s important to remember that not all members of the family like the loud noises and bright lights of fireworks.

Many animals, dogs especially, panic and run away while multicolored fireworks boom across the sky.

Cliff Bennett, director of the Flathead County Animal Shelter, said July 5 is traditionally the shelter’s biggest day for intake of new animals because of runaways during Independence Day.

To prevent pets from running away and possibly getting lost, hurt or killed, he has some tips for pet owners.

The first is a simple step and one all dog owners should have taken care of anyway. Dogs in Flathead County are required to be licensed, so licensing and chipping dogs can make for a speedy return should they run away.

Second, any animal found running at large should be taken to the animal shelter.

The others are mostly common sense: Don’t leave pets unattended outside, don’t take the animal to firework shows, keep the pet indoors if planning on using fireworks, don’t allow pets near spent fireworks, supervise pets indoors and if an animal is particularly skittish around loud noises, putting the pet in a crate a good idea. 

Pet owners can see their veterinarian about a possible sedative for animals, but unless the pet has had a physical exam recently, the veterinarian might need to send out for blood work before prescribing medication. This can be a time-consuming process, so the earlier the better.

Either way, the family’s furry friends should be secured and calmed during the next week for their safety.