A sharp rise in reports of lost pets over the Fourth of July holiday kept volunteers with a Summit County-based pet rescue group busy.

Summit Lost Pet Rescue co-founder Melissa Davis said Friday, July 5, that volunteers with the nonprofit group have responded to 10 reports of missing pets — four cats and six dogs — over the previous three days.

“Accidents happen to the best pet owners,” Davis said. “We were prepared for it. The Fourth of July is always our busiest time of year.”

All six dogs that went missing over the summer holiday were located and reunited with their owners, Davis said. Being off-leash is the most common cause of dogs becoming lost in Summit County, she said.

Off-leash dogs are easily spooked by loud noises, which are especially common around the Fourth of July holiday, Davis said. Even though there are no official firework displays in Summit County and any fireworks that explode or leave the ground are illegal, “unofficial” fireworks set off by those ignoring the rules can still startle pets, she said.

Most cats that are reported missing in the Summit County area are outdoor cats that stray too far from their owner’s home, Davis added. She said the best way to prevent cats from getting lost is to not let them roam freely outdoors.

About 15-20 volunteers scattered throughout Summit County assisted between Tuesday, July 2, and Thursday, July 4, as the calls for missing pets came in like rapid fire, Davis said. Ahead of the Fourth of July weekend she said she had warned the volunteers to be prepared for a “big surge in calls.”

Ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, Davis said the Summit Lost Pet Rescue team was also sharing prevention tips including reminding pet owners to use a leash, microchip their pets and ensure pets are wearing a collar with their phone number on it. While the Fourth of July is the busiest time of year for lost pets, she said these tips can help all pet owners keep their beloved animals safe.

Pet owners can find more prevention tips as well as information on what to do if their pet goes missing at LostPetRescue.org.

“People don’t think it will ever happen to them until it does,” Davis said, “because everyone thinks their pet is invincible, but it does happen.”