Families gather to watch fireworks in San Diego, while keeping their pets safe and secure at home.
As San Diego gears up for Fourth of July celebrations, the community is excited about fireworks and parades. However, the San Diego Humane Society faces challenges with a rising number of lost pets, largely due to fireworks-related anxiety. To combat this, the organization is waiving reclaim fees for lost pets and participating in adoption fee reductions to alleviate shelter overcrowding. Residents are reminded to keep their pets secure during the festivities to avoid distress.
The Fourth of July festivities in San Diego County include a range of options for residents and visitors. The Oceanside Fireworks Show will start at 9 p.m. at SoCal Sports Complex, while the Scripps Mesa Fireworks will also begin at 9 p.m. at Wangenheim Middle School in San Diego. Several parades take place earlier in the day, including the Coronado’s 76th Annual Independence Day Parade at 10 a.m. on Orange Avenue in Coronado and the Scripps Ranch 4th of July Parade at 10 a.m. along Scripps Ranch Blvd.
Other notable celebrations include the Poway Old Fashioned Fourth of July event running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Old Poway Park, and the El Cajon 4th of July Fireworks starting at 3 p.m. at Kennedy Park. Many of these events will culminate in spectacular fireworks displays after dark, with the Big Bay Boom Fireworks Show lighting up the skies in Downtown San Diego Bay at 9 p.m. Several cities will host their own shows, including Chula Vista, Coronado, Red, White & Boom in San Marcos, and Imperial Beach.
While the celebrations promise entertainment and community spirit, they also bring a significant increase in the number of lost pets. The San Diego Humane Society, which has been over capacity for the last three years, reports that the organization typically sees a spike in stray animals following the fireworks displays. Thus far, since the July 4 festivities began, the shelter has taken in 221 stray animals, consisting of 123 dogs, 93 cats, and five other animals. Alarmingly, less than a quarter of the lost pets have been reclaimed by their owners.
Currently, the shelter houses nearly 2,000 animals and has created makeshift shelters to accommodate the influx. The situation is compounded by a recent cut in city funding, which has reduced the shelter’s budget by $1 million for the next fiscal year. This reduction could lead to further resource challenges, especially with the increased demand for services during the holiday.
To assist families searching for lost pets, the San Diego Humane Society is waiving reclaim fees through July 8. This initiative allows those who find their pets to do so at no extra cost. Owners are encouraged to check the shelter’s website for information on lost animals. Furthermore, the organization highlights that pets with microchips have a significantly higher chance of being found and reunited with their owners.
In addition to waving fees, the humane society is also participating in the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters campaign, reducing adoption fees for adult dogs and cats to $70 through July 19. This initiative aims to alleviate the strain on the shelter and encourage adoptions during what can be a tumultuous time for pets.
As families come together to celebrate independence, residents are reminded to keep their furry companions safe and secure during the festivities. With noise sensitivities heightened during fireworks, pet owners are encouraged to create calm spaces at home and consider keeping their pets indoors to minimize stress. By taking precautions and utilizing available resources, San Diego residents can help ensure that their pets remain safe while the community enjoys the holiday celebrations.
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