Dogs may bark and cats may hide, but pets cannot pick up the phone and call 911 if an emergency strikes inside an empty home. National Pet Day on April 11 is a reminder of the bond we share with our pets, and of the importance of protecting them if something goes wrong and no one is there to respond.
The risks are more common than many realize. In 2024, home structure fires were reported every 96 seconds according to the National Fire Protection Association. The NFPA also estimates that pets play a role in starting hundreds of home fires each year.
“When emergencies unfold inside an empty home, ADT’s professional monitoring service can make a meaningful difference for pets who cannot escape danger on their own,” said Shari Wilson, ADT’s Director of Monitoring. “Our teams are trained to quickly assess what’s happening and take action, especially in moments when pets are depending entirely on someone else to respond.”
When monitoring alerts turn into action
ADT’s commitment to our customers and their animal family members is reflected in the scale and structure of ADT’s monitoring operation.
ADT’s monitoring operation, available 24/7/365, includes more than 700 highly trained agents and leaders working at six company-run monitoring centers in the United States. Unlike many competitors, ADT does not outsource monitoring, giving us the largest company-operated security network in the country and an industry-leading average alarm acknowledgment time of less than 14 seconds.*
In situations where no one is home to notice something is wrong, the monitoring team’s ability to recognize danger and respond quickly is paramount in helping avoid a life-threatening outcome.
A close call with carbon monoxide
That reality became personal for Dave Scott, ADT’s Chief People and Administration Officer. While at the office one day, he got a call from an ADT monitoring agent reporting a carbon monoxide alert at his home. His beloved family dogs were in the house alone.
The monitoring team acted on the signal and coordinated a response that brought first responders to the house in time to safely remove the pets before the invisible gas caused serious harm.
Containing a fire caused by a curious dog
That expertise can also help save the day when pets accidentally trigger emergencies themselves.
Richard Veyna had just left his home in Lake Orion, Michigan, after dropping his kids off at school when his phone rang. An ADT monitoring agent was calling to let him know his house was on fire.
Security camera footage later revealed how it started. Finn, the family’s Golden Retriever, had tried to reach a cotton candy maker left on the stove from the night before and accidentally turned on a gas burner.
“All I could think about was the dogs,” Veyna said. “I’ve got to get to the dogs. Houses you can replace, everything you can replace. I was just worried about the dogs.”
During the 15-minute drive back to his home, the monitoring team’s response moved faster. When Veyna arrived, firefighters had already contained the fire and rescued the dogs.
In each of these cases, professional monitoring played a central role. When alerts were triggered, ADT’s monitoring service ensured they did not go unanswered, enabling fast assessment and response while pets were home alone. That connection between detection and human action is what helped prevent these incidents from becoming tragedies.
Safety and security devices to help keep your pets safe
ADT has a range of products that, when paired with professional monitoring, help ensure a timely response to issues when pets are home alone.
ADT Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Monitored detectors help identify fire and carbon monoxide threats early, which is especially critical when pets are home alone and cannot sense smoke or invisible gases.
ADT Motion Sensors: Can detect unexpected activity inside the home, alerting monitoring professionals when something may be wrong and no one is there to notice.
ADT Door, Window, and Glass Break Sensors: These sensors help detect forced entry or broken glass, adding another layer of awareness during emergencies or unexpected events.
ADT Water and Temperature Detectors: Devices that alert monitoring teams to leaks, flooding and rapidly rising temperatures before damage escalates, helping prevent secondary risks to pets and the home.
Indoor and Outdoor Security Cameras: Provide visual context during an alert, supporting skilled human review and helping monitoring professionals and first responders better understand what is happening.
Google Nest Thermostat: The smart thermostat enables you to remotely control the temperature of your home to suit your pet’s needs.
Taken together, these solutions help create a safer, more predictable environment for pets when they are home alone, and greater peace of mind for the people who love them. By helping surface danger early and connect alerts to skilled human response, ADT’s monitored protection supports better outcomes for pets who cannot call for help themselves.
*Professional Monitoring Subscription Required. Average response time reported in 2025