PEORIA, Ill. – Animal shelters see the highest intake of pets each year around the 4th of July.
Peoria County Animal Protection Services’ Becky Spencer says leaving your pets at home on the 4th is always the best idea.
But, even if your pets are home, they can get spooked by loud noises in the neighborhood…and run off.
“Pets are extra sensitive this time of year…so, make sure you do a perimeter check on your fences, your exit doors, your gates, make sure everything’s locked and secured, because if pets are going to run, now is probably the time it’s going to happen,” Spencer says.
To make your pet easier to identify if it gets picked up by animal control, Spencer says it’s a good idea to take an up-to-date picture of your pet.
“I can’t tell you how many times we’re looking for adult dogs on baby pictures. Also, make sure that your pet’s collars and tags are up to date,” Spencer adds.
If your pet does go missing, it’s best to come to PCAPS or your local animal shelter to look for them in person, rather than trying to describe your pet over the phone.
PCAPS will not be open to look for missing pets after the fireworks Thursday night, but pet owners are encouraged to come look for them first thing Friday morning (July 5).
“We get so many similar-looking dogs and cats. What you might describe as a brown dog, could like like a tan or light-colored dog to us,” Spencer says.
To learn more from Peoria County Animal Protection Services, click HERE.
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