Peninsula Shelter Collects 21 Animals Wandering Local Streets After Fireworks, 17 Still Unclaimed

SAN MATEO, CA — During the July 4th holiday, the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (PHS/SPCA), rescued, then sheltered 21 animals found wandering the streets in San Mateo County. They are encouraging people who are missing their pets to visit the PHS/SPCA Coyote Point facility located at 12 Airport Blvd. in San Mateo.

“We believe many of the animals that came into our shelter fled their homes after becoming frightened by fireworks and other festivities associated with the 4th of July,” said PHS/SPCA Communications Manager Buffy Martin Tarbox.

As of Wednesday, staff had reunited four of these animals with their owners. Seventeen still remain in the shelter waiting for owners to visit and claim them. Owners are required to visit the Coyote Point shelter in person to claim a lost pet.

Animals with current identification – a tag on their collar or microchip – were easily reunited with owners. Those with no identification, outdated information, non-responsive owners or out-of-town owners are still looking to be reunited.

California state law mandates strays must be held in shelters four days -- not including the day of impoundment -- before they are considered property of the shelter and can be made available for general adoption.

“Sadly, some owners never visit to claim their pets,” said Tarbox. “In those cases, we make every effort to find new homes and have a 100% successful adoption rate with healthy adoptable dogs and cats.”

PHS/SPCA is located next to Coyote Point Park, at 12 Airport Blvd. in San Mateo. Lost and found hours are 11 am to 7 pm, Monday throughFriday and 11 am to 6 pm on the weekends.

— SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY: The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA / Image via Shutterstock