San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control (ACC) advises pet owners prepare to keep their pets safe during the Fourth of July holiday. Fireworks often frighten pets into fleeing from their home, and pet owners can act now to aid in their quick return or prevent it from happening in the first place.
If your pet does not have an identification tag on their collar with information that is current, there is still time to get one. An identification tag allows anyone who locates your animal to contact you directly, and quickly. Collars can fall off though, so microchipping pets provides an additional, permanent method of identifying your pets. Most veterinarians offer microchipping and there are often low cost options in the community.
“Bring your pets inside before the fireworks begin,” advised ACC Lieutenant Carmen Sanchez. “If that is not an option, make sure that there are no holes or gaps in the fence that dogs can escape through. Should your pet run away, check the animal shelter that serves your area as well as the shelters in the surrounding areas. Additionally, wildfire activity has greatly increased in the past few weeks. Make sure that your family has a disaster plan that includes your pets.”
San Bernardino County ACC provides animal services for most unincorporated areas of the county and the cities of Big Bear Lake, Highland, and Yucaipa. Shelter services are also provided for the City of Rialto. More information about area shelters and disaster preparedness can be found at www.sbcounty.gov/acc. ACC can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling (800) 472-5609.
Animal Care and Control is doing its part to help the community achieve the Countywide Vision by ensuring residents have the resources they need to provide the necessities of life to their families. Information on the Countywide Vision can be found at www.sbcounty.gov.