El Paso Animal Services sees influx of lost dogs after Fourth of July fireworks
Nina Gallegos
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – El Paso Animal Services expected a big intake of animals during the Fourth of July weekend. The holiday is usually one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year for shelters because loud fireworks scare animals out of their homes.
Throughout the weekend, lost and found dogs have been posted on El Paso Facebook watch pages. Residents will post pictures and addresses of lost and found pets.
Over 300 dogs were brought into the shelter this past Fourth of July weekend, according to El Paso Animal Services spokesperson Destiny Valdez.
Among them, a dog named Kentucky was recently reunited with his owner, Roberto Reynoso, at the shelter.
Reynoso spent his Fourth of July looking for his two lost dogs. He discovered Kentucky was missing after letting his dogs into the house one night.
“So all of a sudden in the night when I just let them into the house, they were not there,” Reynoso said.
Reynoso noted the intensity of the fireworks.
“We knew that the Fourth of July is a big party for US citizens. But we really didn’t expect the night before Fourth of July to have like, big fireworks,” Reynoso said.
After searching Facebook pages, Reynoso located Kentucky at the shelter. He is still looking for his other dog, Jack.
Valdez explained the impact of fireworks on animals. Valdez said dogs experience sounds differently than humans.
“They have a higher sense of hearing than humans, so it sounds extra loud to them,” Valdez said. “They don’t understand that it’s celebration for humans. To them, it feels like the sky is falling on them.”
El Paso Animal Services anticipates hundreds more pets will be brought in during the week following the Independence Day celebrations. In response, Valdez is encouraging community members to adopt and foster animals to help clear space at the shelter for these new arrivals.
“We are offering free adoptions thanks to the BISSELL Pets Empty the Shelters. So if you can help and you’ve been waiting to find your furry friend, we have all types of personalities here. All types of pets, all sizes, all breeds. So just come down and adopt and take a free friend home today,” Valdez said.