PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA – Pima Animal Care Center is seeking the community’s help to place 250 dogs into 2-week foster or adoptive homes ahead of the July 4 holiday when staff expects to see 400 dogs brought into the shelter.
On average, the shelter receives around 200 dogs a week, but the week after the Fourth of July they expect to see at least double that number. With the holiday falling on a Monday this year, the shelter is preparing for three or four consecutive nights of fireworks displays that put animals into a fight or flight mode and lead to them running away.
“The week of July 4th is always the busiest week of the year for us,” said Monica Dangler, Director of Animal Services. “In order to help the scared animals we know we will see next week, we need to create the space to keep them safe until their families can come pick them up. Currently, PACC does not have that space available.”
As of Monday, June 27, PACC currently has more than 509 dogs at the shelter. In order to be prepared for the number of dogs they typically take in during the week after the holiday, PACC needs to get 250 large dogs out this week through either rescue partners, adoption or short-term foster.
To view all the animals currently at the shelter, visit PACC’s adoption page or go visit the shelter in person Monday - Friday from noon to 7 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday & Sunday. Please do not call or email regarding pets in-shelter. Due to being short-staffed, they are prioritizing in-person inquiries.
To sign up to become a foster partner with PACC, visit the foster information page.
“Most of the animals we see the week after the Fourth of July holiday are family pets that were startled during a fireworks display and their families are actively searching for them,” Dangler said. “Because of this they are usually claimed within a couple of days of arriving at the shelter. If we can create the space for a week or two, that will allow us to care for those animals until we are able to reunite them with their families.”