Fireworks Season with your Pet

four tools i recommend so your dog won't end up on a MISSING poster!

as we head into summer, we head into fireworks season! and i'm not just talking about fireworks going off on July 4 and only again on Labor Day.

i lived in South Philly for eight years, where you could hear fireworks any day of the year. thankfully, now that i live in the suburbs of Delaware County, the fireworks tend to remain between May and September, with the occasional ones in October.

it's during this time that pets who hear fireworks while outside can get spooked and run away; we've all seen the missing or found pet posts on social media and the good old-fashioned posters on light poles. don't let your dog be a fireworks season statistic!!

if there's a chance your pet could be outside during an unscheduled big boom,

this post is for you!

Coal's tag lays flat with his collar. It includes his name, parent's phone number, and states "microchipped"

always have their tags on them! 

finding a comfortable collar for your dog is important so they can wear it always!

the point of the collar is to hold their identifying information, much like the human wallet. there are the classic hanging tags and these days there are tags that lay flat with the collar.

if the clink-clink of multiple hanging tags bothers you, you can tape the tags together with painter's tape or athletic tape which is easy to remove when anyone needs access to the tags.

the most important piece of the tag is your current contact information; if you have changed your phone number, change that tag!

microchip your pet.

ever seen a blue line tattooed on the belly of a dog and thought "where's the rest of that sweet tat?" that ink means they are microchipped.

the microchip is another great way for your dog to always have your contact information. most ID tags these days will note "microchipped" which is especially helpful for dogs with dark or hairy bellies where you wouldn't be able to see that sweet blue tat.

when a good samaritan brings your pet to a hospital, the doctor can scan the chip to identify their owner. make sure that contact information is up to date!!

a gps device is your best friend!

imagine you are enjoying an evening stroll with your pup, and you unexpectedly hear the big boom! this could be cause for a reactive dog to bolt!

when you have a GPS (global positioning system) tracker on their collar or on their harness, like the one pictured on Otis, you can track them down before they become "missing"!

these usually pair with an app so while it's great to enjoy a disconnected stroll with your dog, be sure to keep your phone with you so you can use the app in this situation.

and always make sure the device is charged and working properly!

do you have a pet tracker that you love, or have you tried one that was not so user friendly? share your experience in the comments!

give them light, when out at night!

this is something wearable like a light up collar or reflective vest.

the light or reflection makes them visible to traffic which is great if your night-time walks don't have the brightest street lights.

these tools also make it easier to spot your pet when they are not tethered to you, possibly hiding in the bushes, scared and confused.

How do you navigate fireworks season with your pet? Are they reactive or passive about the big booms? Share in the comments!

My calendar still has openings during the season of the big boom!

When you book your summer travels, book your dog's vacation with me; my house is their second home!