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TUCSON - Remember to keep your pets safe this 4th of July holiday weekend!

While July 4th celebrations, particularly the fireworks, are fun for the whole family, remember that pets react very differently than we do when they hear loud noises and smell fireworks in the air.

Additionally, the thunder and lightning associated with our Monsoon can be terrifying for our pets. A dog's hearing is very acute; they can hear loud noises from miles away. Their immediate reaction is to bolt blindly to get away from the noise.

To keep your pets safe the following is advised: Do not take pets with you to fireworks displays; leave them at home where they are safe. If possible, have a family member stay home with the animals, but if this is not possible, leave them indoors.

Close blinds or curtains and leave the TV or radio on to help reduce the bangs. Make sure gates are securely closed and locked. If your dog lives outside, make sure it's wearing some form of identification in case it should run away. While microchips are a great way to reunite animals with their owners, a name tag is also a good idea so that if a member of the public finds your animal they can return it home.

Remember that fireworks can be set off at any time before and after July 4th and summer storms can move in very quickly. If possible do not leave animals unattended and monitor them closely after dark.

If you do lose your animal, make sure that you check in person with the Pima Animal Care Center at least every three days.

If an animal is found wearing identification, it is held for seven days and every effort is made to contact the owner, but strays (animals without identification) are held for only three days.
Our first priority is to reunite pets with their owners, but when this is not possible we do everything to ensure that animals are adopted into loving new homes.

Animals lost due to the fireworks and storms added to unwanted litters of kittens and puppies makes the summer particularly busy for the Pima Animal Care Center. As a result the Center offers many discounts throughout the summer months. Currently we are running our $10 for 10,000 campaign where all of our adoptable and special needs animals are being adopted for $10 (plus $15 for a license for adult dogs).

On July 9, we will hold our annual Monsoon Muttness event. This is an evening of family fun with music, games and free food and drinks. This event is to boost adoptions and place as many of our animals as possible. Our discounted adoptions still apply, but there will be additional discounts on the evening of the event and all adopters will receive a gift bag with new pet.

Pima Animal Care is located at 4000 N.Silverbell Road and adoption hours are Monday through Saturday from noon until 7:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

For further information call 243-5920 or visit our website at: www.pimaanimalcare.org.