Local animal shelters busy after 4th of July
John Welsh with the Riverside County Department of Animal Services said the county had picked up at least 118 dogs and 59 cats over the past three days.
“The day after Fourth of July is the busiest time in the year for shelters, veterinary offices, rescues,” said Kim Laidlaw, of the nonprofit animal welfare organization Animal Samaritans.
Inside the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, it was a packed house, where an influx of dogs and cats scared off by Independence Day fireworks had subsequently caused an increase in human visitors, desperately searching for their furry loved one.
The Wells family made the trek from Indio to the shelter in Thousand Palms in search of their best friend Tumor. Laidlaw said that is exactly what people in their situation should do.
“When the shelters get overwhelmed, they don’t have the time to really call people, so they’re relying on you to be out there looking for your pet,” she told KESQ News Channel 3’s and CBS Local 2’s Katie Widner.
Laidlaw also recommends leaving out food, water and an article of clothing for pets in case they are still in the neighborhood. The county said most dogs are located within a two-mile radius of their home. Owners can start before there is a problem by having a good picture of their pet that can be made into posters and posted online, and by getting a $20 microchip inserted.
“It’s quick and painless,” Laidlaw added.
SEARCH: Lost and found dogs at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus
SEARCH: Lost and found dogs at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter
For the Wells family, they were the fourth reunion at the shelter early Wednesday afternoon.
Sadly, a representative at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus said it is not always the same outcome.
“We do have a lot of folks who are looking for pets and they’re not at the shelter. We don’t know where they’re at,” said Frank Corvino.
The good news is that county officials say the number of pets lost on the Fourth of July has gone down in recent years. However, Laidlaw warns that just because it has not happened yet does not mean the threat is over.
“This week in particular, there will be leftover fireworks that people will still be shooting off that they didn’t finish,” she said. “It’s not just the Fourth of July, it’s the days before and afterward that people really need to be mindful of their pets.”
Read: How to track lost and found pets in Riverside County
Other information from the Riverside County Department of Animal Services:
Impounded 37 stray animals on Sunday, July 2 (25 dogs, 9 cats and three “others,” which can include birds, reptiles, livestock, etc.). Impounded 117 stray animals on Monday, July 3 (63 dogs, 47 cats, seven others). Impounded 33 strays on Tuesday, July 4 (30 dogs and three cats). ***These numbers are only for Riverside County Animal Services’ service areas, including the city of Riverside. As of 3:40 p.m., 43 dogs had been reunited with their owners Wednesday from shelters in Thousand Palms, Blythe, Jurupa Valley and San Jacinto. As of 3:40 p.m., there had been cat owner who has shown up to redeem their pet. Help pet owner find lost dog in Indio
Watch: More CBS Local 2 Stands for You special reports Check out your First Alert Weather Forecast for the Coachella Valley as heat & humidity continue Read: More of today’s Top Stories from KESQ News Channel 3 & CBS Local 2
