Animal rescue agencies nationwide are asking you to consider your pet's health and well-being leading up to this Independence Day Holiday. The head of the Alton Area Animal Aid Association is reinforcing that plea, asking you to keep your pets inside and away from any commotion that may happen during the holiday.

5A's Executive Director Ric Jun says even the best-behaved dogs can get spooked around the boom of fireworks. He says you may want to keep your pet indoors and away from outside stimuli, whether you are shooting off the fireworks or someone is in the neighborhood.

Jun says if this week is like past years, they will start getting calls from residents whose pets ran away at some point during a fireworks display, likely having been spooked by the sounds.