Hey, Dallas! Here's How To Give Your Pets A Happy July 4th

DALLAS, TX —Dallas Animal Services’ Home for the 4th campaign is working to ensure local pets are safe this weekend by encouraging owners to keep their pets secure at home and by finding shelter pets adopters or fosters to create spaces for the expected yearly spike in lost pets.

DAS is offering free adoptions online and in-person all weekend and has created a completely online foster process at www.BeDallas90.org with curbside pet pick up.

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“Though fireworks are illegal within Dallas, their continued use leads to a spike in lost pet intake during the first week of July,” said DAS Interim Director MeLissa Webber. “We are already full, so this increase comes at a particularly challenging time and could force our staff to make difficult decisions in the coming days. One of the most important thing residents can do to prevent a capacity crisis at DAS is to ensure their pet is safe and secure at home and isn’t adding to the problem.”

According to a survey done by the ASPCA, nearly one-in-five lost pets goes missing after being scared by the sound of fireworks, thunderstorms or other loud noises.

“Every year, we see lost pets come into our shelter that have no history of escaping, and yet they’ve dug under the fence or pushed their way out of the front door because they’re terrified of the neighbor’s fireworks,” said Webber. “Even if you think your pet would never run off, it is important that you follow our safety tips to prevent your pet from becoming part of these statistics.”

This week, DAS encourages pet owners to:

• Ensure that your pets are easy to identify by securing their collars and ID tags, making sure pets are microchipped and that the information registered to their microchip is accurate. Microchipping is required for pets in Dallas and DAS offers $10 microchipping by appointment.
• Keep pets inside and away from doors. Fireworks can trigger your pets’ fight or flight instinct and cause them to flee in fear or charge the threat, risking severe burns. DAS recommends that you use a crate to contain your pet or prepare a quiet space in a room without windows. It’s also best to limit the number of people coming in and out of your home to prevent pets from slipping out the door.
• Leave your pets at home if you go somewhere to view Even pets that enjoy outings are likely to be spooked by firework displays and could act unpredictably; they will be more comfortable and safer at home.
• Take the edge off by offering enrichment toys like food-stuffed kongs or puzzle toys and providing background noise such as relaxing music or a calm television show to help drown out the noise outside.
• Watch what your pet puts in their mouth to ensure they don’t ingest something toxic. Independence Day festivities often include toxic foods and beverages like alcohol, garlic and onions or chemicals including pesticides and pool chemicals.
• Report any fireworks or gunfire by calling 9-1-1 immediately.

“If you’ve been thinking about adopting or fostering, it’s time,” said Webber. “Dallas pets need you now.”

You can adopt a pet in-person this weekend at two locations: DAS’ main shelter 1818 N. Westmoreland Road 1 p.m.to 6 p.m. Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday DAS’ North Dallas PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center (EAC) Wednesday to Saturday Visit www.BeDallas90.org for PetSmart EAC hours. DAS is also offering online adoptions and curbside pet pick up through its website at www.BeDallas90.org.
All adoptions are free and pets are spayed/neutered, microchipped, current on vaccinations, and adopters receive a voucher for a free vet visit and month of pet insurance.
Can’t adopt? DAS also desperately needs short-term foster homes, particularly for medium and large dogs and orphaned kittens.
“Fostering a pet for even a few days will open a kennel at the shelter and save lives,” said Webber. “Our team will match you with a pet that will fit well into your home and you’ll get all the training you need through an online orientation. It’s incredibly easy to get started and makes a huge difference.”
If your pet goes missing, DAS recommends that you:

• Visit DAS in person daily to look for your lost pet because website photographs aren’t always detailed enough to properly identify your pet and we receive dozens of lost pets daily.
• Make a lost pet report by visiting www.BeDallas90.org.
• Post on social media platforms like Nextdoor and Facebook, including neighborhood-specific and lost/found pet groups.
• Hang flyers in your neighborhood complete with clear photographs and a detailed description of your pet. DAS also recommends you translate your flyer into as many languages as possible using free online translators if necessary.
• Visit BeDallas90.org for tips and resources to improve your chances of finding your pet.

“While DAS is proud to have one of the highest lost pet reunion rates in the country, we still see more than 50% of the lost animals that come in our shelter go unclaimed,” said Webber. “Prevention is the best way to keep your pet safe, but if they do get lost, it is important to act quickly and search daily.”
If you find a stray pet in your

• If you can do so safely, secure the pet in a yard or home to get them out of harms way. Do not approach an animal that is behaving aggressively and never corner a pet as this can cause even friendly pets to bite.
• Post on social media platforms like Nextdoor and Facebook, including neighborhood-specific and lost/found pet groups.
• Talk to your neighbors to see if anyone knows where the animal lives.
• Hang flyers in your neighborhood complete with clear photographs and a detailed description of the pet. DAS also recommends you translate your flyer into as many languages as possible using free online translators if necessary.
• Create a found pet report by visiting BeDallas90.org to get the pet reunion process started immediately.
• If you were unable to find the owner, call 3-1-1 or make a service request online and an Animal Services Officer will pick up the animal as soon as possible.

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