The Fourth of July offers lots of summer fun for people, but it can be a scary day for many pets.

Beth Mulrooney, president of the Humane League of Lake Lanier, said fireworks displays often scare dogs.

"They’re afraid," Mulrooney said. "They want to run away and get away from the noises." Mulrooney said many people lose their dogs during fireworks displays because when dogs are scared, their instinct is to run.

"They’re in a state of panic," she said. "When dogs take off, they can run some distance pretty quickly."

Gwen Trimmer, Community Resource Director for the Humane Society of Hall County, said if your dog runs away, check with the humane society as soon as possible to see if it has been found.

Trimmer said people can also leave a description of their dog in case it is found by animal control or a good Samaritan.

"You fill out a report that gives a description of your companion pet and the general area he or she was lost," Trimmer said. "That way if someone calls in and says, ‘I have found this dog’ we can call you and say this person found a dog that sounds like yours."

Mulrooney also said that it’s important to check with shelters in other counties because of how far some dogs will run.

Over the holiday weekend, there are a number of things that can keep pets safe and calm, Mulrooney said.

During holiday parties, it’s a good idea to keep your pet comfortable in a crate or a closed room where it will feel safe.

"Don’t let it roam all over the house and have access to open doors," she said.

Outdoor dogs will also need special attention. Mulrooney said some dogs may try to dig or jump over a fence they normally stay in.

"If you have a dog that lives outdoors, bring it in the garage or keep it with you," she said. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Dr. Alan Scott, a veterinarian with Gainesville Veterinary Hospital, said he commonly sees pets after the holiday that get sick from eating human food.

"The biggest issue we see is people feeding their dogs food they should not like table scraps and bones from barbecue," Scott said. "That frequently causes a lot of vomit and diarrhea." Scott said to remember to keep your dog cool on the Fourth of July as well as throughout the hot summer months.

"They need plenty of water and plenty of shade to keep them protected from the heat," he said. "Be sure to take water for the dog."