Here’s How To Keep Your Pets Safe During The Fourth Of July

Last year, there were so many pets that were lost during the Fourth of July holiday that the Animal Services Shelter was overrun with hundreds of pets. Pets who are taken to taken to the shelter over the Fourth of July holiday without a microchip are only held at the shelter for three days before they go up for adoption.

There are a few things you can do to keep your pets safe during the Fourth of July.

1. Don’t take your pet to fireworks shows and keep them inside preferably with the curtains closed so the lights and noise are muffled - Turn on your TV or radio to help mask noises and distract your pet from the fireworks.

2. Make sure your pet has a collar, ID tags, and are micro-chipped and licensed - If your pet has to be outside, keep it leashed or in a carrier at all times.

If your pet gets out check with animal shelters around town, especially the Humane Society and the City of El Paso Animal Services Shelter. You can also check out the Animal Rescue League of El Paso's Facebook page. You can also check the Lost & Found Pets of El Paso Facebook page.

The Fourth of July is one of the busiest times of the year for local animal shelters, and Animal Services is already at capacity this year. They are asking the public to hang on to found animals for a couple of days and post online before bringing them to the shelter.

All impound fees at the Animal Services Shelter will be waived for any lost animal picked up by their owner during June and July. Waived fees do not include quarantine animals. Fees still apply for licensing services ($12.50 per animal).

From June 27 through July 7, adoption fees for dogs will be reduced to $5 and there are no adoption fees for cats. The adoption office is open every day from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except for July 4, which will have operating hours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to allow for adoptions and owner reclaims.