The Best Friends Animal Society wants to remind pet owners to consider their pets' safety this holiday weekend.

According to a release from the group, animal shelters fill to capacity during the Independence Day weekend, creating one of the busiest times of year for those who assist stray pets. While some of the lost animals are reunited with their families, the society says others are injured or killed in traffic or never reclaimed.

To keep pets safe, the society recommends that families bring all pets indoors during the evenings when neighborhood fireworks are launching, because the loud pops can startle many animals, causing them to run. The society warns that some animals may go after the bright moving objects, placing them at risk to be burned or blinded by fireworks.

The society recommends that owners ensure identification tags are updated with current contact information in case animals get loose. If your pet is lost, call local shelters immediately and often.

— Clayton Norlen