The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Animal Shelter would like to remind pet owners of the dangers associated with the July 4th Festivities and their animals. Every July 4th holiday brings loud noises and disturbing activities, which frighten animals, causing otherwise docile and friendly pets to become agitated or frightened. Animals when frightened will often run away. Do not allow your pet to be in the vicinity of fireworks or other loud noises to prevent your animal from possibly being injured and scared.

Keep your pet indoors, in the garage or in a secured pen during the holiday celebrations. Make sure your dog is licensed, and is wearing it. The Sheriff Animal Shelter strongly encourages pet owners to micro-chip their dog and cat. Local veterinarians and animal welfare groups can assist with micro-chipping. This is cheap insurance to assure you and your pet is re-united should they become lost.

If your pet does get lost please contact the Humboldt County Sheriff Animal Shelter as soon as possible at 707-840-9132. The shelter is located next to the airport in McKinleyville, at 980 Lycoming Ave. The shelter will be closed on Monday July 4, 2011, however will be open again on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for adoptions and redemptions of lost animals. If your pet becomes lost, we recommend you come into the shelter and look for your lost pet or check our website at www.petharbor.com  to view the animals at the shelter. If you find a lost animal, please report it to the appropriate law enforcement/ animal regulatory agency where the animal was found. The shelter also maintains a lost animal log book.

There are currently many adoptable pets at the shelter who are waiting for a good home! (including Mario pictured above)

Also note that Petharbor.com will send out “hundreds of postcards ” to the area where your pet was lost.  This is a wonderful service.

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This photo is from the McKinleyville Animal Shelter.  Mario is a 10 month old Border Collie/Pit bull Terrier mix.  Isn’t he beautiful? And he is available for adoption!