Local animal shelter takes in pets scared away by holiday fireworks

Many people were able to enjoy the fireworks display over the New Year’s holiday, but that wasn’t the case for many pets that were frightening by the sounds of explosions. Some pets wound up running away and getting lost.

At the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, 3 dogs were taken in during New Year’s Day and another two dogs had come in before noon Monday. Daniel Sumner, the director of operations at the shelter said he expected a high intake. due to the holiday.

“A lot of stray pets, a lot of dogs that snuck out of the yard, because of everything going on,” he said.

Melissa Gable found a dog wandering in her Cathedral City neighborhood and promptly dropped it off at the shelter. She suspected the firewworks may have had to do somethign with it.

“With everything that went on with the storm and the fireworks, it just seemed like he had run away,” she said. “His paws are well taken care of. His nails are groomed.”

Due to the risk of losing pets over the holiday, Sumner had this advice for all pet owners.

“It is important that you micro chip and tag your pets,” he said. “That way it gets them back quicker to the owner.”

“It’s the best way for them to try to find their way back home,” Gable said. “We know that they’re part of your family.”