Frightened by fireworks, fleeing pets find help from OC Animal Care and volunteers – Orange County Register
Brian Boles could barely contain his excitement.
The Army veteran had been without his support dog, Ruby, for two days after being frightened by fireworks and running away from their home in Fullerton.
The Pit Bull / Lab Mix was one of 80 dogs and cats that showed up at OC Animal Care’s Tustin Shelter over the July 4th long weekend.
“I’m super happy,†Boles said as Ruby jumped up for attention.
This year, the number of animals straying at the shelter due to the noise of the fireworks has been about the same as in previous years, with field agents and the public bringing them in. said director Monica Schmidt.
She recommends that the public search locally when they find a loose animal and use social media or check with neighbors to locate the owner. She said the worst case scenario is when a pet doesn’t have identifiers like a collar with tags or a microchip to help identify the animal.
“You can feel the emotion that these animals are going through,†Schmidt said. “It’s very stressful no matter how good the environment in a shelter is, and at the end of the day they’re not home with their families.
“It is very heartwarming for our staff to help reunite these animals,” she said.
Elsewhere in the county, a network of volunteers helped private pet owners throughout the noisy holiday weekend.
Tracey Denny and a group of about seven other people in and around San Clemente created and posted flyers and social media posts and went in search of around seven missing dogs. She said they helped most of the animals find their way home.
Most people make the mistake of looking for their dog as soon as they realize it’s gone, Denny said. The problem is, dogs’ excellent noses mean they can pick up on their human’s scent and track it, which could lead them astray even more. Instead, she advises hanging dirty clothes with your scent on your porch or fence, contacting friends or a rescue group to help you put up flyers and search, and wait for your pet to be in. the House.
If you are going on a search, bringing a hot roast chicken can help coax a scared but hungry dog. Make sure your pet is microchipped, registered and wearing a collar with a tag.
“Everyone must do their part; the owner has a job to do, â€Denny said. “If they love their dog, then I want to help them.”
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