MILWAUKEE -- Runaway pets are flooding the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC).
As of Tuesday night, people brought in 21 lost cats and 34 lost dogs. A typical weekend MADACC only sees a handful.
Animal control officials blame the high number on the Fourth of July.
"It absolutely has to do with the fireworks," said Kathy Shillinglaw with MADACC. "I mean dogs and cats are spooked by loud noises."
Billy Graun, who was checking for his dog at MADACC on Tuesday, said it was unusual that his pup ran away.
"My dog ran off, " he said. "I think the fireworks spooked him. He usually never leaves or goes anywhere. He always stays right in the back, so it was unusual for that to happen."
Officials said it's not usually the big displays of fireworks that spook animals -- it's the small neighborhood fireworks, like bottle rockets.
If you're missing a pet, the best thing to do is visit MADACC, 3839 W Burnham St. in Milwaukee, or look online.
