News Summary
As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, the San Diego Humane Society is providing free microchipping services for pet owners. This initiative aims to enhance pet safety, especially during a time when fireworks can cause anxiety and lead to lost pets. The microchipping service is available until July 3, with fees waived, and additional efforts like extending shelter hours and waived reclaim fees for lost pets through July 8 are being implemented to support pet owners during this busy period. Owners are also encouraged to create safe spaces for their pets and consider anti-anxiety measures.
San Diego
The San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) is offering free microchipping services for local pet owners as the July Fourth holiday approaches. This initiative aims to enhance pet safety, particularly as fireworks are known to cause anxiety in animals, often leading them to escape and become lost. The microchipping promotion runs until July 3, and all associated walk-in fees will be waived during this period.
County residents can access microchipping services by making an appointment or attending open clinic hours at one of the SDHS campuses located in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, and San Diego. To schedule an appointment, pet owners can visit the SDHS website and follow the provided instructions to ensure their pets are safely microchipped before the holiday festivities begin.
Past experience has shown that the July Fourth holiday sees a significant uptick in lost pets. For instance, from July 4 to July 7 last year, SDHS brought in 315 stray animals. Recognizing this trend, SDHS will also waive reclaim fees for any lost pets that are brought to their shelters through July 8. This effort is aimed at assisting pet owners in reuniting with their beloved companions with less financial burden during this high-risk period for pet escapes.
In addition to microchipping, SDHS encourages pet owners to take proactive steps to ensure their animals stay safe amid the holiday noise. Pet owners should create a calm and safe area in their homes for pets to retreat to during fireworks. Keeping pets indoors is strongly recommended to minimize the chances of them running away out of fear. For added safety, owners should ensure their pets wear collars with identification tags and are secured with leashes or harnesses when outdoors.
If a pet does go missing, SDHS has initiated a proactive Lost2Found program. Pet owners can send a text message containing the word “LOST” to 858-SAN-LOST or 858-726-5678 to receive assistance and resources aimed at facilitating the search for their lost animals.
Extend hours of operation are planned for the shelter on Saturday, July 5, when staff will remain available until 7 p.m. This additional time aims at facilitating quicker reunifications of lost pets with their owners, ensuring that pets are returned home safely after the holiday disturbances.
Veterinarians also suggest that pet owners consider seeking possible anti-anxiety medication for their pets, especially those that may experience heightened anxiety levels during fireworks displays. These precautions can further help in managing pets’ stress and keeping them secure during the celebrations.
As the holiday approaches, SDHS remains focused on the safety and wellbeing of pets in the community. Through initiatives like free microchipping and waived reclaim fees, the organization stands committed to reducing the number of lost pets during the traditionally tumultuous July Fourth celebrations. Pet owners are encouraged to take all necessary precautions to keep their animals safe and secure.
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Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego
- Wikipedia: Microchipping of Animals
- CBS 8
- Google Search: Pet Microchipping
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Google Scholar: Pets Fireworks Anxiety
- 10 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pet Care
- Patch
- Google News: July 4th Pet Safety
