50 Animals Taken In Over July 4th Holiday By Sonoma Co. Animal Services, Partners

News from Sonoma County Department of Health Services:

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- Over the July 4th holiday weekend, Sonoma County Animal Services and its partners took in nearly 50 stray animals.

SCAS worked with community partners such as Pet Care and Redwood Veterinary Hospital to shelter 29 dogs found over the holiday weekend in order for their respective owners to claim them. SCAS and its partners have already returned 25 dogs to their owners.

Owners who have a missing pet may call the Animal Shelter at 707-565-7100 to verify if SCAS has your pet. Typically the period from July 1st to July 5th is the busiest time of year for SCAS.

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“Keeping your pets safe during all holidays is very important due to a possible rise in loud noises which can be scary for your pet – this holds true not just for a holiday like July 4th, where there is an abundance of loud noises going off randomly,” stated SCAS Director John Skeel. “Even during times when family and friends come to visit for an event or gathering, ensure your pets have proper identification on them at all times so they can be returned home quickly. We want to return pets to their rightful owner as quickly and safely as possible.”

One of the main benefits to licensing your dog is the ability the license gives SCAS to properly identify and track a dog that is found outside of its home and return the dog immediately without having the dog go to the shelter. Licensing also serves as proof that your dog has been vaccinated against rabies. Having your dog vaccinated is vital to protect the public’s health as rabies is transmittable to humans.

State and local laws require that dogs must be licensed each year and have a current rabies vaccination. Many people don’t know that a license is required by law in Sonoma County for all dogs four months and older.

“A dog license shows the community that your pet is a loved member of your family. By licensing your pet, you increase the chances of being reunited should your pet get lost. A dog license can be traced 24 hours per day, 365 days a year, and in many cases your lost dog can be delivered to your door, avoiding a shelter stay and accompanying shelter fees,” said Skeel.

SCAS provides dog licenses for residents of unincorporated Sonoma County, the City of Santa Rosa, and the Town of Windsor. For more information about how to obtain a license for your dog please visit SCAS’ website. If you do not live in these areas, please purchase your dog license from the agency that serves your community.

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--Photo courtesy of Leslie Yager