As the Fourth of July approaches, Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) is enlisting local residents to foster or adopt animals through Independence Day by signing up for its Foster the 4th initiative.
“By opening our homes to a shelter animal, even for a short time, we help reduce overcrowding and give lost pets a better chance of finding their way back home,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “We encourage all residents to help make a difference for our displaced animals during the busy Independence Day season.”
Every Fourth of July, LBACS receives a noticeable increase in dogs who have run away from home due to the bright flashes and loud noises brought on by fireworks, creating unsafe situations for them and any passing drivers. Currently, LBACS is over capacity, and the rise in lost animals puts an even greater strain on the shelter’s resources and available kennel spaces.
To become a short-term foster, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Submit a Foster Application online before visiting the shelter.
- Commit to fostering a pet for a minimum of 30 days or longer.
- Keep the foster pet separate from personal pets to prevent diseases and ensure all pets are safe.
- Provide regular communication with the Foster Coordinator and/or LBACS staff with updates and pictures.
The final Foster the 4th opportunity will be an appointment-only foster match day on Tuesday, July 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at LBACS (7700 E. Spring St.). The selected fosters will be given veterinary care along with four weeks of supplies, such as food, toys, bowls and a crate for their new pets.
“LBACS wants to ensure that people and pets stay together,” said Melanie Wagner, Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau Manager, in a public statement. “Pets separated from their families can be devastating at any time, but especially during firework season. I encourage people to prepare their pets now by getting microchips, having current tags and also familiarizing themselves with the other pets in their community. Often, an animal’s best chance of getting reunited is by the people in our own neighborhoods.”
LBACS advises pet owners to consider the following tips to ensure their pets’ safety on the Fourth of July:
- Safer At Home – Pets are more sensitive to loud noises, flashing lights and strong smells. It is best to secure your pets safely and comfortably indoors, preferably with a radio or TV turned on to soften jarring noises.
- ID Tags Are the Ticket Home – Pets can become so frightened during fireworks that they may escape the noise by breaking through windows or door screens. All pets should always wear well-fitted collars with ID tags that have up-to-date contact information.
- Microchip Your Pet Now – Obtaining a microchip will help ensure that a pet can be identified and reunited with their owner if they become lost or separated due to the fear of fireworks. Ensure your pet is microchipped and is registered with your current contact information. Microchips are available for purchase at LBACS clinics occurring every Monday, second Friday, and fourth Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at LBACS.
For more information on the Foster the 4th event, visit the initiative’s webpage, and to learn more about LBACS’ other programs, visit longbeach.gov/acs. Those interested in partaking in Foster the 4th can schedule an appointment for Tuesday, July 1 at LBACS by emailing PetFoster@longbeach.gov.
