Officials at the Pima Animal Care Center are bracing for the annual influx of lost pets following the barrage of New Year’s Eve fireworks.
According to shelter officials, dog kennels at the location are already at critical capacity. Cat kennels are also full due to a recent impound of 91 neglected pets seized from a non-profit cat rescue.
If this year’s number of runaway animals mimics last year’s total, PACC officials could see as many as 300 new animals come through its door in the week following New Year’s Eve. PACC said in 2024, it took in 256 dogs and 63 cats during that week-long period.
In 2024, Pima Animal Care Center took in 256 dogs and 63 cats during the week that followed New Year’s Eve. officials say.
Shelter leaders are asking the public’s help in avoiding this influx and keep pets at home where they belong.
“The volume of the noise, their inability to understand where it’s coming from, and the flashes when outside all work to disorient, confuse and scare our pets,” said Steve Kozachik, PACC’s interim director. “Please, please, remember to keep your pets indoors on New Year’s Eve, and even better, provide them with some background sounds such as music, or even a fan or other white noise. Our auditory reality is not theirs – please understand and respect that.”
Pet owners can start by getting their pets microchipped and registered with a collar and tags. PACC offers free ID tags year-round, and is offering free microchips to dogs and cats living in Pima County until Jan. 5. Owners can bring their pets to PACC’s Pet Support lobby anytime the shelter is open.
Pets should be kept indoors and distracted during New Year’s Eve festivities. White noise machines can be used to drown out loud booms and bangs.
If a member of the public finds or loses a pet, the first thing they should do is file a report on Petco Love Lost, which uses image recognition technology to match lost pets with pets found in the community, PACC officials said. Walking around the surrounding neighborhood, posting on local social media, and hanging flyers are additional proven strategies to get pets home without them ever having to step a paw in the shelter.
“All dog owners have had the experience of seeing their dog react to a noise outside that we as the pet owner didn’t hear. Their sense of hearing is significantly more sensitive than ours as humans. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that loud noises such as fireworks are alarmingly frightening to dogs,” said Steve Kozachik, PACC’s interim director.
Meanwhile, those wishing to adopt from the shelter may be aware of an increase in national media attention about the spread of H5N1 bird flu.
Kozachik said PACC has taken “proactive measures to assure the pets we’re adopting out into the community are safe and healthy.” He said the animals have been tested and have come back negative.
PACC is located at 4000 N. Silverbell Road and is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from noon to 7 p.m., on Wednesday from 1:30 to 7 p.m., and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shelter will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and will be closed on New Year’s Day. Emergency services will remain available.
To learn more about available PACC pets and services, visit pima.gov/animalcare.
