LA Animal Services offers free pet ID tags for Independence Day

While many people celebrate the Fourth of July with big gatherings and firework festivities, many furry family members prefer a quite day at home. Fireworks are no picnic for pets. The loud noises can frighten dogs and cats and cause them to escape their house or yard in attempt to look for safety.
Make Independence Day fun for your pets and protect them from getting lost. Here are some tips to help keep your four-legged loved ones safe.
Make sure your pet has up-to-date identification
Free pet ID tags are available before the 4th of July at LA City Animal Shelters (while supplies last) courtesy of Coalition for Pets.
 
A collar with a current license and/or ID tag on your pet and a microchip that’s registered with your current contact information, will help reunite you with your companion animal if they become lost.
For information on getting or renewing your dog’s license, visit anionlinelicense.lacity.org.

For information on microchipping or to schedule an appointment at a LA City Animal Shelter, call (888) 452-7381. Most veterinary clinics also offer microchipping.

Keep your pets indoors
Even if your pet is used to being outside, the fear caused by fireworks or other loud noises may cause them to find that hole in the fence. If you are having family and friends over, keep pets in a room that is off-limits to your guests with plenty of water and food.
Create a calming environment
If your pets are afraid of loud noise, surround them with their favorite toys and other familiar objects. Play soothing music and keep the room as quiet as possible by closing doors, windows and blinds.
Stay away from fireworks
Even if your pet does not seem obviously upset by fireworks, they can still cause harm to pets. Avoid potential burns, injuries, or possible ingestion by keeping all pets out of the vicinity of fireworks.
Start looking for your lost pet right away 
Go to the animal shelter nearest where you last saw your animal. Give them a photo or specific information about what your pet looks like, if they are microchipped and if they are wearing a license or tag.
You may also search the LA Animal Services lost pet database at LAAnimalServices.com/lost.
 
Adopt or foster and help save more pets
This weekend, July 1 and July 2, adoption fees are reduced for all dogs to $83.50 (includes City license) and for all cats to $50.50 at all six LA City Animal Shelters.
By adopting or fostering an orphaned pet, you are saving two lives, the one you are caring for and the one who now has room at the shelter.
LA Animal Services has six shelter locations across the City.
 
East Valley Shelter, 14409 Vanowen St., Van Nuys CA 91405
Harbor Shelter, 957 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, CA 90731
North Central Shelter, 3201 Lacy St., Los Angeles, CA 90031
South LA, Chesterfield Square Shelter, 1850 W. 60th St., Los Angeles, CA 90047
West LA Shelter, 11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
West Valley Shelter, 20655 Plummer St., Chatsworth, CA 91311