What to do if you Find a Dog During Fourth of July Week

If you find a pet, please follow the steps below before bringing them to the shelter. Studies show most lost dog are found less than a mile from their homes. 40% are found less than 400 feet from their home! Pets who are brought to the shelter are statistically less likely to be reunited with their families.

When you find a dog's owner before bringing them to the shelter, you are:

• Increasing their likelihood of being reunited with their owner. Only about 20% of the animals that came to the shelter between July 1 and July 10 of last year were reunited with their owners. Since most dogs are found within a mile of their home, their best chance of being reunited with their families is by staying out of the shelter.
• Freeing up space for the animals who need us most. We take in thousands of critically injured animals every year. When you keep a healthy dog out of the shelter, it frees up space and resources for the animals who need us most.
• Helping prevent the spread of diseases in the shelter. We have been in a critical space crisis at the shelter since February. Overpopulated shelters are a breeding ground for deadly viruses and diseases. Reuniting a dog with its owner ensures they remain healthy and disease-free.
• Helping us manage wait times. Fourth of July is one of the busiest times at the shelter. Because of this, we often see wait times exceeding 3-4 hours. When you help reunite a dog with its owner, the shelter can focus on assisting people who are unable to locate a dog's owners.