Maine Humane

Happy 4th of July! Together we can keep pets safe during the holidays!

Shelter Animals Count took a deep dive into the national data from 2025 and found that stray dog intake was highest in the days following holidays- the 4th of July was #2 (Memorial Day was first).

Prevention is key- and sharing tips with our pet owning community can make a big difference:

- Leave pets at home and inside. Fireworks can be terrifying to pets, even if they are used to commotion.
- Create a home sanctuary. Keep them in a comfortable and sheltered space away from any outside noise and lights. Playing a radio with relaxing music may help mask the sound of fireworks.
- Identification is essential. Pets may panic, escape and become lost. Updated identification is critical to make sure lost pets are reunited with their families. Ideal ID is a collar with tag, as well as a microchip- make sure your contact info is current!
- Consult a veterinarian for pets with anxiety. Consult your veterinarian to seek out remedies to lower your pet’s stress level if this is a known issue.

As July 4th approaches, many shelters and organizations are sharing tips to help keep pets safe during fireworks and celebrations.

Our latest blog takes a closer look at what the data shows for lost dogs around major holidays, and what we found was that lost pets don’t peak on the holiday alone - they often show up in shelters in the days that follow.

In 2025:
- The day after Memorial Day was the highest day for adult dogs entering shelters as strays
- The Tuesday after July 4th (July 8) was the second highest day
- January 2 was the third highest day

Read more on the data ahead of the 4th of July holiday at https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/closer-look-at-post-holiday-trends-in-lost-pets/.

Hi everyone- Just wanted to share that our emails are down right now- working to get them back up and running ASAP. Feel free to reach out through messenger if you need to get in touch.

A heat wave is upon us and we want Maine families to keep cool- and that includes our furry family members and friends!

Share these tips and reminders to keep our pets, livestock, and wild neighbors safe and happy during the hot days to come.