Ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services Thursday announced some recommendations to keep Angelenos’ furry friends safe and prevent them from ending up in shelters.
City officials noted that the Fourth of July weekend can result in more pets becoming lost and being placed in shelters while their owners look for them.
The days following Fourth of July festivities consistently bring the highest surge in stray dog intakes each year, according to an analysis by Shelter Animals Count.
The department encouraged pet owners to microchip their animals or provide their pets with a tag with up-to-date identification. Pet owners can also register their pets on Petco Love Lost, a free database that uses photo-matching technology that can help reunite lost pets with their families.
About half of missing dogs and a third of missing cats were found by searching their local neighborhoods, according to an American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ survey.
The department encouraged individuals, who are able to do so, to provide temporary home care for lost or stray companion animals in their neighborhood through the Shelter-at-Home program.
The program expands LA Animal Services’ foster program and increases community involvement in helping animals find their owners while enabling pets to be held in less stressful environments.
If community members find a lost pet and is unable to locate the owner and are unable to provide temporary foster care, they are encouraged to call (888) 452-7381 and make an appointment to bring the pet to the closest Animal Services Center.
LA Animal Services reminded residents in the city that fireworks are illegal, and should be kept away from pets.
To report fireworks in your neighborhood, residents can call Los Angeles Police Department’s non-emergency number at (877) 257-5273 or file a complaint online.
Another tip the department offered is to create a calm space for pets. It is best to ensure pets remain indoors and in an enclosed room, and to make sure gates or fences are secure if animals are allowed outside, LA Animal Services said.
If the pet appears sick or injured, owners should bring him or her to the closest Animal Services Center immediately.
The city’s six animal shelters are open Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends.