The Fourth of July is no holiday for King County’s 911 call centers and animal control officers. Emergency lines quickly become overloaded with nonemergency calls, and frightened pets run away from home. To keep lines open for true emergencies, the county is promoting alternate non-emergency phone numbers for reporting illegal firework use, and Regional Animal Services has partnered with the Missing Pet Partnership to assist residents who are searching for lost pets after the holiday.

A list of non-emergency fireworks phone numbers is available at www.kingcounty.gov/linksbyzip. This website also offers a link to the Washington State Fire Marshal’s register of areas with fireworks restrictions or bans, as well as a link to a comprehensive list of public fireworks display events.

Although July Fourth celebrations are a cherished part of our nation’s history, they can be traumatic and dangerous for animals. This year, Regional Animal Services has partnered with a nonprofit organization that will set up a temporary tent outside of the Kent animal shelter to assist residents who are looking for lost pets that were scared off by fireworks. Regional Animal Services is closed to the public on July 4, but on July 5, 6 and 7, volunteers from the Missing Pet Partnership will be stationed outside of the Kent shelter from noon to 6 p.m. The shelter will also have extended hours on July 5, from noon to 6 p.m. to help owners search for lost pets.

The group will assist residents who arrive at the Kent animal shelter to search for missing pets that were frightened away by fireworks, and will help those who do not find their pet by providing materials for making flyers and writing “lost pet” messages on personal vehicles.

Here’s how to prepare your pet for the holiday

• Make sure pets are wearing at least two forms of current identification. This can be a personalized tag and a pet license (make sure your contact information is up to date with your licensing agency), a microchip and a pet license, or a combination thereof. Identified pets have a greater chance of quickly being returned to their owners.

• Keep your pets indoors in the quietest room of your house while fireworks are audible. Give them lots of reassurance. Play soothing music as a distraction.

• Have phone numbers handy for the closest animal emergency hospitals and animal shelters. If your pet becomes lost, on July 5th you can call 206-296-7387 and press three for King County Animal Care and Control’s “Lost Pet Hotline” and a list of lost or stray pets currently in the shelter. For pets registered with the Seattle Animal Shelter, contact 206-386-7387).

Fireworks pose a fire hazard to property and a safety risk to those who use them. Every year police and fire departments around King County respond to numerous fireworks-related fires and injuries.

All fireworks-related injuries and fires should be reported directly to 911. Complaints about fireworks use and noise should be directed to the non-emergency numbers.

King County reminds everyone that the use of fireworks is restricted or banned in many cities and areas of King County. Follow local laws and exercise caution while enjoying July Fourth celebrations.

For a list of fireworks-related non-emergency phone numbers and other nonemergency contacts, visit www.kingcounty.gov/linksbyzip. For information on how to protect your pet with a pet license, visit www.kingcounty.gov/pets.