Long Beach Animal Care Services Invites Community to Participate in Foster the 4th Ahead of Independence Day
The Californer/10283585

Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) is calling on the community to join their initiative, Foster the 4th, which aims to provide safe homes for shelter animals during the Fourth of July holiday period. This call to action comes as the city prepares for the annual surge in lost pets due to the fear of fireworks.

Mayor Rex Richardson has urged all residents to consider temporarily fostering a shelter animal during this busy holiday season. "Fostering allows Long Beach Animal Care Services to provide more spaces for animals displaced due to the effects of illegal fireworks and to get them reunited with their families," said Mayor Richardson.

The sudden bright flashes and loud noises from fireworks can cause animals to panic and run away from home, often ending up in unsafe conditions for both themselves and drivers. This influx of lost animals puts a strain on resources and limits kennel space at the shelter. Currently, LBACS is over capacity and is encouraging the public to foster or adopt ahead of the Fourth of July holiday to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

To kick off Foster the 4th, LBACS will be hosting a special adoption and fostering event on Sunday, June 23 from 4-6 p.m. at their location on 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90815. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet adoptable animals available for fostering, receive information and resources, and learn ways to prevent shelter overcrowding.

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Additional opportunities for fostering will be available at LBACS on Tuesday, June 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., by appointment only. Interested individuals can schedule an appointment by emailing PetFoster@longbeach.gov.

To become a short-term foster, applicants must submit an online Foster Application and commit to fostering a pet for a minimum of 30 days or longer. It is also required to keep the foster pet separate from personal pets to prevent diseases and ensure the safety of all animals. Regular communication with the Foster Coordinator and/or LBACS staff is also necessary, including updates and pictures.

Selected fosters will be provided with veterinary care, food and supplies, such as bowls, beds, litter pans, and crates. They will also receive foster guides and resources to help acclimate their foster pet to their new home. For more information on the Foster the 4th event, please visit the LBACS Fourth of July webpage.

Melanie Wagner, Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau Manager, emphasizes that one of their main priorities is to keep people and pets together. "Pets separated from their families can be devastating for everyone involved," said Wagner. "It can happen at any time, but especially during firework season." She encourages people to prepare their pets by getting them microchipped, ensuring they have current tags, and familiarizing themselves with other pets in their community. Often, an animal's best chance of being reunited with its owner is through people in their own neighborhood.

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To ensure your pet's safety during this holiday season, LBACS recommends keeping them indoors in a safe and comfortable environment with a radio or TV turned on to soften loud noises. It is also crucial for all pets to wear collars with ID tags at all times. LBACS also suggests microchipping your pet as a way to ensure they can be identified and reunited with you if they become lost or separated due to fireworks. Microchips are available for purchase at LBACS low-cost vaccine clinics held every Monday, second Friday, and fourth Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

LBACS's mission is to ensure "Compassion Saves" by providing support services for both people and animals in the community while protecting shelter animals through enrichment programs. For more information on services and programs provided, visit longbeach.gov/acs.

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