Community Corner

Protect Your Pet This July 4

HSSV, others offering low-cost microchipping for Independence Day.

The following press release is from Humane Society Silicon Valley in Milpitas.

Fireworks are fun – unless you’re a dog or cat.  

Not all pets are afraid of the whistles, pops and explosions that accompany Fourth of July celebrations.  But a huge number are more than a little bit scared — they’re terrified.  

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To your pet’s super-sensitive ears, the blasts and roars of fireworks can make them feel like they are under attack. They react by retreating, hiding, and worse: running away.

“Nationally, more dogs run away on the 4th of July than on any other day,” according to Beth Ward, Chief Operating Officer, Humane Society Silicon Valley.  “The added noise and commotion that comes with fireworks, parties and parades can stress pets to the point where many run away to escape.”  

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The real heartbreak is that 75% of dogs and almost 97% of cats in Silicon Valley are never reunited with their families! Every year, hundreds of lost and frightened pets end up at one of the area’s animal shelters.

The City of San Jose’s Animal Care Center Director, Jon Cicirelli says, “Our stray dog intake doubles or triples the day after the fireworks begin.  It is very hard for our staff to find space to put so many new incoming dogs, much less to try to care for them all at once.”  

It is also difficult and sometimes confusing for owners to re-unite with their beloved pet in a system which includes multiple municipal, county and private agencies.

SOLUTIONS: New Website to Find Pets Fast!  WeCARE, the alliance of all six of Silicon Valley’s animal shelters, is launching its new website at www.wecareproject.org to make it fast and easy for owners and pets to be reunited.  

It’s really simple.  Go to the site, find the city where you lost your pet, click to go directly to the right shelter’s up to the minute listing of lost and found pets.  

“The key in these situations is to act quickly.”  Adds Beth Ward.  “Get in touch with the right shelter immediately."

Contact more than one shelter to be extra-thorough.  WeCARE’s new online site is the best and easiest first step to getting your pet back into your arms.

4th of July Microchip ID Special Discount!  For only $10 you can protect your pet with a microchip ID.  

“It’s fast.  It’s easy.  And it’s only ten dollars.”  Adds Jon Cicirelli.  “Nothing makes finding your lost pet easier than a microchip that tells every shelter and every animal care profession with instant access to the owner’s contact information.”  

Owners can take advantage of this offer at any of these four WeCARE partners: City of San Jose Animal Care Center, Humane Society Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority, City of Palo Alto Animal Services.

Make sure that you and your pet are always reunited.  No appointment necessary.  Microchipping is a $60 value that’s available for only $10 – but only through July 7, 2012.


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