Photos courtesy of Dallas Animal Services
Dallas Animal Services is urging residents to take extra care with pets this weekend, as firework-heavy holidays routinely lead to significant increases in stray dog calls at the shelter.
Loud noises such as fireworks often spook animals, said Assistant Director of DAS Mary Martin, and can cause unrestrained dogs to run from their homes as they attempt to get away from the booming noises.
“We would love to remind everyone to please keep their pets inside the house, garage or other confined quiet space for the duration of the fireworks. It would be great to have some quiet background noise like TV or music,” Martin said.
In past years, stray calls on Jan. 1 and 2 have totaled “more than double” the rest of the years’ daily intake average. In 2018 and 2020, the shelter took in 136 and 141 dogs, respectively, in the first days of the new year, compared to the years’ averages of 62 and 65.
For months, the shelter has struggled to lower a dog population that is over capacity. The dog population currently sits at 122% full.
DAS recommends pets be microchipped and have name tags with contact information on their collars so they can be returned home in the event of escape. Martin, however, recognizes that these fixes require a barrier to entry, whether it be financial or a time or transportation requirement.
“One can protect their dogs without having to spend money,” Martin said. “A simple phone number written in sharpie on a collar will get a dog home.”
