Keep Pets Safe For Independence Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jay LeVitre, MCAS Communications, 503-988-6232

Keep Pets Safe For Independence Day

(Troutdale, OR - July 2) After days of record-breaking heat in Multnomah County and across the Pacific Northwest, pets may endure even more stress with explosions, flashing lights and the unpredictability of fireworks. Many cities, regional communities and counties — including Multnomah County — have banned or placed limitations on the use of fireworks. Still, it's wise to be prepared so your pets aren't frightened or lost this holiday weekend.

Ahead of Independence Day, Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) wants to remind pet owners about services and resources to help reunite them with their pets quickly, as well as tips to keep pets safe and comfortable.

Impound & Board Fees Waived for Stray Pets

Impound and board fees are currently waived for all stray pets brought to Multnomah County Animal Services, in order to help alleviate the economic impact of the coronavirus. This means that if your pet is impounded, you won’t need to pay fees in order to take them back home.

Under normal circumstances, MCAS holds an impound fee amnesty period during the Independence Day Holiday.

Shelter Holiday Closure

Multnomah County Animal Services will be closed on Sunday, July 4. Emergency services will be available by calling 503-988-7387, and staff will be on-site from 12 pm to 4 pm to accept strays and help owners reclaim lost pets.

If Your Pet is Lost

• Check Found Animal Reports to see any stray animals impounded at our shelter, or found by community members. Check often, since new reports are posted in real-time.

• File a Lost Pet Report on multcopets.org so shelter workers or community members can easily identify your pet and contact you if found.

• Update your licensing information with Multnomah County.

  • If your pet is wearing a collar and a license tag, finders can easily contact you by looking up your information at multcopets.org/license-lookup.

• Update your microchip contact information.

  • Scanning for a microchip is one of the first things Animal Control Officers, neighborhood veterinary clinics, and shelter workers do to find information about a lost pet without a collar and tag.

• Register Your Pet and Search on Petco Love Lost.

  • Petco Love Lost is a new service using facial recognition technology to help match photos of lost pets with found animals in our community.  Registering and using the service is easy and FREE.

• Look around your neighborhood for your lost pet

  • In a survey of Multnomah County community members who found their lost pets, 36% found them at large, wandering the neighborhood.

  • Put out fragrant wet food to try and lure your pets back home.

• Inform your neighbors and seek their help to find your lost pet.

Firework Safety Basics For Pets

Be prepared to help your pets through their fears during Independence Day.

• Safety and Prevention: Never bring pets to firework displays or leave them locked in cars while you watch.

• Be present: One of the best things you can do for your pets is to be present for them. You can calm them better than a pet-sitter or a kennel staff member.  When you see that they’re afraid, call to them.  Go to your pet, or invite them to join you where you are. Give them rubs and scratches. Talk with them. Be silly with them. Play their favorite games. Turn a scary experience into a learning opportunity. (source)

• Secure your home: Plan ahead, and identify ways your pet could escape.  Close open windows and doors. Don’t leave pets outdoors where they could jump a fence, or indoors near screen doors and windows if they panic and bolt. Make sure guests coming and going are careful not to let pets slip through the door.  (source)

• Give your pet a safe space: Give your pet a confined, safe space in the center of your home, such as a spacious closet or a bathroom with a comfortable bed and water. (source)

• Use ambient noise: Play comforting music, or noise from a radio or TV. (source)

• Seek help from a veterinarian: If your pet has a history of fear or anxiety with loud noises, including fireworks, talk with your veterinarian about your options. They may be able to prescribe medication to help calm your pet.  They may also recommend a Thunder Shirt or wrap to calm and provide comfort. (source)

• Make sure your pets are licensed so MCAS can contact you as soon as they arrive at the shelter. Licensing can be done online at MultcoPets.org.

• Make sure pets are wearing collars with tags, and that the contact information on the tag is current.

• Microchip your pet and update your contact information with the microchip registry. Microchipping is a powerful tool to reunite lost pets with owners if lost.

About Multnomah County Animal Services

Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) is the only open door shelter in Portland. MCAS is the primary agency responsible for lost pet care, animal abuse investigations and animal rescue in Multnomah County. MCAS also offers dog and cat licensing, lost and found pet services, and animal adoptions through its shelter in Troutdale.  MCAS is a division of the Multnomah County Department of Community Services (DCS).