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Cat Adoptions and Administration are located at The Cat Box, 3015 46th Ave. N, St. Petersburg FL 33714. Dog adoptions, MEOW Now, foster, intake, and donation drop off are located at 2911 47th Ave. N, St. Petersburg FL 33714.

ATTENTION: Friends of Strays will close at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 28.

ATTENTION: Friends of Strays will be closed July 4.

Prepare now for July 4 pet safety

Monday, June 30, 2025

While many people may enjoy the excitement and thrill of watching a fireworks show, for pets it can be very scary and traumatic.

More pets are reported missing after July 4 than any other holiday. While you can’t necessarily make the bangs and pops go away, you can take some steps to help your pet through.

  1. Keep your pets aware from fireworks.

Keep your pets safely indoors. Consider putting a TV or radio on to provide some background noise to soften the sound of fireworks. If you can’t keep your pet inside, make sure they are leashed and in your control at all times.

  1. Make sure your microchip is up to date.

All Friends of Strays pets are microchipped and registered to their adopter. If you change your phone number or address, however, you will need to go online and update your information. You’ll need the name of the microchip company and the microchip ID number, which was included in your adoption paperwork. If you don't have your pet's microchip number, any vet or shelter can scan it. Keep your pet’s collar on for the evening, even inside, with an up-to-date ID tag, too.

  1. Prepare activities for your pet.
While all the distractions in the world may not be enough for the anxious dogs or cat, preparing some indoor enrichment for them might help the time pass more quickly and ease their tension. Turn dinner or treats into a game! Lick mats and snuffle mats are available for sale at many pet stores; the lick mats can be covered in peanut butter, wet food, or other liquid treats (you can even freeze them for another layer of enrichment!), and snuffle mats are great for small treats or kibble. But you don't have to buy anything special -- you can also make simple enrichment games with things around your home. You can roll kibble up into an old towel, or scatter kibble in a box filled with newspaper, just make sure the paper isn't injested. 

  1. Ask your veterinarian about medication.

If your pet is extremely sensitive to sudden loud noises like fireworks or thunder, it may be best to speak to your vet about medicating your pet during the evenings you expect fireworks.


After July 4, if you find a lost pet in your neighborhood, here are a few steps to follow to help them get reunited with their owner.

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