The Fourth of July can be a frightening time for animals, with the loud sounds of firecrackers and fireworks often sending pets scurrying out of the house or yard in search of security or shelter. Long Beach Animal Care Services is reminding all animal owners that they can save themselves and their pets a tremendous amount of heartache and anxiety by following a few simple suggestions:
• Keep pets indoors, if possible, or confined to a secure area (never tether an animal because it can lead to more harm or an accidental death)
• Double-check yard gates to make sure that pets cannot escape
• Make certain pets are wearing identification, including the name and current telephone number of owner.
Those who lose an animal in the cities of Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Signal Hill or Cerritos should visit petharbor.com. The City of Long Beach also offers lost-and-found pet information online at longbeach.gov/acs. Those who do not see their pets online may visit the local shelter on Wednesday, July 6, between the hours of 10am and 5:30pm. The shelter is located at the P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 E. Spring St.
Taking special care of pets during the Fourth of July is responsible pet ownership, just like licensing and keeping identification tags on pets, and making sure they are spayed or neutered.
The shelter will be closed July 4 and 5, but animal control officers will be responding 24 hours a day to emergency calls, such as stray and injured animals, and animals that have bitten or scratched others.
Animal Care Services staff will contact owners of lost pets that have identification tags or microchips. Animals with identification will be held at the village for 14 days, pending being claimed by their owners. Animals without identification will be held for a minimum of six days before being evaluated for adoption.
The shelter is open to the public Wednesday through Friday, from 10am to 5:30pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. The shelter is closed on Monday, Tuesday and all holidays. For Animal Care services or more information call (562) 570-7387. After-hours emergency phone calls for services are automatically transferred to the Fire Department for dispatch service. For information about responsible pet ownership, visit longbeach.gov/acs.
