Stray Dog Intakes Spike After July 4th, New Data from Shelter Animals Count Confirms - Shelter Animals Count
23Jun’25
Stray Dog Intakes Spike After July 4th, New Data from Shelter Animals Count Confirms
New analysis from Shelter Animals Count (SAC) shows that the days surrounding the Fourth of July consistently bring the highest surge in stray dog intakes each year.
While combined cat and dog data show varying peak intake days across years, a clearer trend emerges when isolating data for dogs. From 2021 through 2023, July 5 ranked as the single highest intake day for stray dogs nationwide. This pattern continued in 2024, with stray dog intakes peaking during the week of the Fourth of July, reinforcing the need for heightened public awareness and proactive planning by shelters and rescue groups nationwide.
“This data is critical to highlight because it reveals a clear and consistent trend—shelters see a significant increase in lost dogs around the Fourth of July, making it one of the busiest times of the year,” said Tori Fugate, Director of Communications at Shelter Animals Count. “By showing a clear increase in lost dogs around the holiday, the data helps shelters and rescues better prepare for the seasonal spike and respond effectively. It also underscores the importance of asking the community for their support during this time to help reunite lost pets with their families quickly and reduce strain on shelter resources.”
To help prevent the post-holiday surge, shelters across the country are urging pet owners to take precautions: keep pets indoors, secure yards and gates, and confirm ID tags and microchips are up to date.
This July 4th pattern is part of a larger seasonal trend. Recent Memorial Day data from SAC shows that late May and early June mark one of the highest periods of stray cat intake all year—making this timeframe especially challenging for shelters. While cats consistently see their peak around Memorial Day, stray dog intakes also rise significantly, further straining shelter capacity and compounding the pressure heading into the July 4th period and summer months.
Resources:
ASPCA – 4th of July Pet Safety Tips
See how San Francisco SPCA shared safety tips with their community – LINK
Great Idea! Chico Animal Services offered free microchips and free ID tags to Chico residents ahead of the holiday