Even if the car is gone by the time the officer arrives, the tags will be traced and the owner of the car will receive an educational warning letter. If your dog is safely inside the house when thunder and lightning starts, he is likely to just hide under the bed. But outdoor dogs have nowhere to hide and may become frantic. Dogs have been known to break chains, go over, under, or through fences, or do anything else they can to get away from storms. Cats who are outside will also flee blindly and may not be able to find their way back home.
Fireworks are much like thunderstorms to pets and can cause the same frightened reaction.
As more and more communities plan firework displays, more pets are exposed to the noise and lights that fireworks produce. The shelter always has many more lost pet reports the morning after thunderstorms and fireworks displays. Keep your pet safely inside. If storms are predicted or your community is having a fireworks display, keep the curtains closed and the air conditioner on to muffle the noise. If your pet does get lost, call your local animal shelter immediately to file a lost pet report.