What to do if your dog runs away

Houston animal shelters are urging residents to make sure their pets have tags and microchips before July 4 in case fireworks scare their dog or cat away.

Corey Stottlemyer, assistant director of the BARC shelter, said keeping animals indoors is effective in preventing frightened animals from escaping. If animals do get lost, shelter officials said microchips are an effective way to help owners find their pets.

“I know people say they know their pets, but I really encourage you to be cautious because your pet is likely to act differently when stressed, especially if you’re around fireworks,” Stottlemyer said.

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Houston SPCA officials said 300 pets a year, including during the holidays, are reunited with their owners through microchips.

“We screen every pet that comes in. If we find that information on the owner, we can release the pet immediately,” said Corey Steele, director of Harris County Pets’ veterinary public health division. “The same goes for our animal control officers who are out on the streets when they get calls and they see a dog loose, they can do an exam.”

In 2022, the city of Houston passed an ordinance requiring pets in the city to be microchipped. New pet owners must register their pets with the city and prove that they have been vaccinated against rabies. Residents can be fined $100 to $500 if they do not have an active registration or if they own a pet that is not microchipped.

Current pet owners should ensure that information on the pet’s microchips and tags is up to date, including phone numbers, according to a news release from the SPCA.

Steele encourages the use of a carrier, kennel or crate to make pets inside “feel more contained and comfortable” during fireworks.

Stottlemyer explained that covering carriers can help limit the animals’ sense of exposure to the flashing lights and loud noises of fireworks. He added that making sure the doors are securely closed will help prevent animals from trying to escape.

SPCA officials recommend turning on the television or radio at a low volume to muffle the noise of fireworks. Try to tire out pets before the Fourth of July festivities by getting them to play actively during the day.

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If a pet owner plans to take their pet outside during fireworks or an event involving fireworks, they should use a harness or leash that won’t break or slip, Stottlemyer said.

A pet should have fresh drinking water and shade. Owners should make sure pets don’t eat foods that could be harmful to them, such as chicken bones and corn on the cob, which could lead to complications that require surgery. Additionally, chocolate, avocado and onions are toxic to pets, according to the Houston SPCA. Keep pets away when lighting fire pits, sparklers and fireworks.

Stottlemyer said when pets get lost, the shelter has resources, including the kennel’s software that integrates with 24PetConnect and social media pages where people post missing pets. If a pet runs away, the owner can search for it, see if anyone has registered it on 24PetConnect, check the lost pets’ social media pages and the BARC Facebook page and go to the shelter to see if they have the pet.

“The best way to come in person is to physically see if that animal in our kennel is your pet,” Stottlemyer said.

Harris County Pets posts photos of lost pets on its website, countypets.com. Steele said there are other websites to help people in advance in case their pets get lost, including Petco Love Lost. An owner can register their pet with a photo so they can connect them with someone in case local shelters have the animal.

Pet owners can also find their pets on Houston SPCA online through Nextdoor and the Houston SPCA Found Animals page.