Las Vegas shelter cares for nearly 150 pets over Fourth of July weekend

A boom in stray and lost animals stresses local animal welfare resources

Over the recent Fourth of July weekend, a Las Vegas-area animal shelter stepped up after taking in nearly 150 extra pets—an influx driven by the spikes in noise, chaos, and displacement associated with holiday fireworks and travel.

Numbers tell a clear story

Between July 4 and 6, the shelter received approximately:

• 284 dogs
  
• 76 cats
  
• 41 other animals (including rabbits, birds, and small mammals)
  

At one point, more than 400 animals were being cared for and were up for adoption as of Monday afternoon.

Why the holiday matters

Fireworks, loud noises, and sudden disruptions often lead pets to panic and bolt from their homes. Shelters nationwide report similar spikes in stray animal intakes during major holidays like the Fourth of July.

What’s being done

To manage the surge, the shelter quickly:

• Expanded kennel space and activated emergency intake protocols
  
• Deployed volunteers around the clock
  
• Alerted the community through social media and local news outlets
  
• Checked microchips and posted lost-and-found alerts on neighborhood networks
  

How the community can help

Local pet owners and animal lovers can make a difference by:

• Ensuring pets are microchipped and wearing current ID tags
  
• Never leaving animals unattended during fireworks
  
• Reporting found or lost pets to the shelter, local vets, and social media groups
  
• Volunteering or donating food, blankets, and operating funds to support shelter efforts
  

A call for awareness

As fireworks season continues, pet owners are urged to take extra precautions—such as keeping pets indoors during high-noise events, using pheromone diffusers, and offering safe hiding spots. These steps can help reduce the number of frightened animals ending up in shelters.

Image Source: https://www.fox5vegas.com/2025/07/07/las-vegas-shelter-takes-nearly-150-pets-over-fourth-july-weekend/

Category: Local News
Subcategory: Community Impact
Date: 07/08/2025