LA Animal Services Offers Tips to Keep Pets Safe this 4th of July Holiday Weekend

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LA Animal Services Media Contacts:
Agnes Sibal-von Debschitz, (213) 482-9512 or agnes.sibal@lacity.org
Justin Khosrowabadi, (213) 482-9551 or justin.khosrowabadi@lacity.org

LA Animal Services Offers Tips to
Keep Pets Safe this 4th of July Holiday Weekend

Los Angeles, June 29, 2020 — While many people enjoy the 4th of July firework festivities, our furry animal companions prefer a quiet time at home. Fireworks are no fun for some pets! The loud noises can frighten dogs and cats, causing them to escape their homes or yard in an attempt to look for safety. Make Independence Day safe and fun for you and your pets by taking steps to protect them from getting lost. Here are some tips to help keep your four-legged loved ones safe: 

  • Stay away from fireworks.

Fireworks are illegal in the City of Los Angeles. Even if your pet does not seem obviously upset by fireworks, they can still cause harm to our animal friends. You can prevent potential burns, injuries, or possible ingestion of fireworks, which can be fatal for pets, by keeping out of the vicinity of fireworks and asking friends and neighbors to avoid using them. 

  • Keep your pets indoors and create a calm environment.

The 4th of July and the days following are the busiest times at LA Animal Services Centers. Many pets escape their homes because they are afraid of the loud sounds from fireworks. The best way to keep your pets safe is to make sure they stay indoors, in an enclosed room or familiar crate with some of their favorite toys, and play soothing and calming music. If you do allow your pet outside, be sure that your gates or fence are secure or that your pet stays on a leash. 

  • Make sure your pet has up-to-date identification.

If your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar or harness with a current license and/or ID tag on it and a microchip that is registered with your contact information, will help reunite you with your furry family member right away! 

To find out about getting or renewing your dog’s license, visit http://www.laanimalservices.com/laws-policies/animal-licenses/.  

If your pet is not microchipped, you can click on this link for more information on how to get your furry family member microchipped. You may also contact any of our LA Animal Services Centers at (888) 452-7381, and schedule an appointment. The cost for the general public is $15.00 per animal. Most veterinary clinics also offer microchipping.

  • Start looking for your lost pet right away.

We encourage people who have lost their pet dog to post a photo and description of their furry friend on LA City Lost and Found Pets, Nextdoor.com, Pawboost.com, or Shadowapp.com, to improve the chances of reuniting with their companion animals. According to an ASPCA survey, about half of missing dogs and a third of missing cats were found by searching their local neighborhoods. 

In addition to posting online, LA Animal Services also suggests that individuals who find a lost pet, and who are able to do so, provide temporary home care for these companion animals through our Shelter-at-Home program. Shelter-at-Home expands LA Animal Services’ foster program and increases community involvement in helping find animals’ owners, and enabling pets to be held in less stressful environments. To learn more about the Shelter-at-Home program, please visit click here.   

If you cannot provide temporary foster care, DO NOT LEAVE the dog or cat in an unsafe place. Please call 888-452-7381 right away and make arrangements to get them to the closest Animal Services Center.

For more information on what to do if your pet goes missing, go to https://www.laanimalservices.com/about-animals/lost-pet/. To find out what to do if you find a stray or lost animal, visit http://www.laanimalservices.com/found-pet/.

  • Adopt or foster and help save more pets.

To ensure there is lifesaving space in our Animal Services Centers during this upcoming holiday weekend, please consider adopting or fostering one of our amazing animals. Click here for more information on how you can adopt or foster a new furry friend. 

PLEASE NOTE: Our LA Animal Services Centers are open by appointment only. We will-be closed on Friday, July 3 as part of the City of Los Angeles’ observation of the holiday, and will be open by appointment on July 4.
 
For more information about LA Animal Services, visit laanimalservices.com or call (888) 452-7381.

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Los Angeles Department of Animal Services is one of the largest municipal shelter systems in the United States with six services centers serving approximately 60,000 animals annually and responding to 20,000 emergency calls involving an animal or person in danger. LA Animal Services promotes and protects the health, safety, and welfare of animals and people. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

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