TYLER, Texas — A popular New Year's tradition is popping fireworks, but for pets, it can be a terrifying moment. A local animal shelter is helping reunite pet owners with their lost dogs and cats.
It's one of the busiest times of the year for animal shelters across the nation, and East Texas is no exception.
"So, around the country shelters tend to get inundated with animals in the two, three, four days after any type of event that involves fireworks, loud noises, that kind of thing," said Chris Kemper, Longview Animal Services manager.
All over social media today, there is an endless list of pet owners trying to find their lost companions. The Longview Animal Shelter was prepared for this, and they encouraged pet owners to utilize the best way to keep track of their pets before the fireworks started with a microchip.
"Leading up to New Year's Eve this year we discounted all micro-chips down to ten dollars for several days so people could come in and get their animals microchipped," Kemper said. "Microchipping animals is something that we do year-round."
Kemper said the best way to protect your dog from running away and disappearing is to microchip them and be prepared to track them. If locals haven’t done this or you can’t do this, there are other ways to prepare for events that can make your pet anxious.
"Bring them inside, give them quiet safe spaces where they’re not going to have a lot of anxiety," Kemper said. "If you know your animal is extremely anxious with fireworks, you talk to your veterinarian, there are anti-anxiety medications they can give you just for those simple nights."
Even with those precautions, there’s no guarantee that your pet won’t get out, and get lost. Kemper urges the importance of microchipping your pets because it’s undoubtedly the best way to look out for your furry friends.
"There is no better way to protect your animals than microchipping," Kemper said. "Over 80% of animals in the United States that get lost are microchipped and generally make it home very quickly. And those numbers fall drastically down when the animals have no information and no way to contact someone."
For more information about microchipping your pets, visit the Longview Animal Services website here.