4th of July Weekend: What Pet Owners Need to Know
The busiest holiday for lost pets entering shelters each year in the U.S. is the Fourth of July holiday, according to Shelter Animals Count.
FREE ID tags available at all RivCo Shelters!
To help ensure more lost pets are reunited with their families during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, Riverside County offers free ID tags for pets. Pick one up at any of our shelters during business hours.
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Holiday Hours
We will be CLOSED at all locations Friday, July 4th and reopen Saturday, July 5th, 2025. Field Services will only be responding to emergency calls through dispatch.
What Qualifies as an Emergency?
Call 951-358-7387 for emergency dispatch only if the animal is:
- Injured or visibly suffering
- Aggressive or threatening public safety
- Obstructing traffic
Lost Your Pet?
Shelters will reopen on Saturday, July 5th. If your pet is missing, you can search Petco Love Lost (www.petcolovelost.org) for pets who were found and are temporarily being held by community members. Also try searching community platforms like Nextdoor or local lost-and-found pet groups on Facebook. Links to these and other lost pet resources can be found here (www.rcdas.org/lost-pets).
You can also check our Lost Pet Search Page (www.rcdas.org/lost-pets).
Please note: Dispatchers do not have access to shelter databases and cannot confirm if your pet is in our care.
Found a Lost Pet?
If you’ve found a lost animal that appears uninjured and safe, please try to reunite the pet with its owner before bringing them to the shelter. Upload a photo to Petco Love Lost (www.petcolovelost.org) and share the pet on community platforms like Nextdoor or local Facebook lost-and-found groups. Most lost dogs are found within one mile of their home, so walking the dog through the neighborhood where they were found can often lead to a quick reunification. Links to these and other found pet resources can be found here (www.rcdas.org/lost-pets).
Fourth of July Safety Tips for Pet Owners
Independence Day celebrations can be dangerous for pets. Here’s how to keep them safe:
Keep pets indoors during fireworks. Create a quiet, secure space away from windows and doors. Turn on a TV, fan, or white noise machine to help mask the sound.
Secure your yard and home. Check fences, gates, windows, and doors in advance. Even pets who don’t normally try to escape may bolt when startled by loud noises.
Never use fireworks near animals. Both lit and unlit fireworks can cause burns, injuries, or toxic exposure.
Stick to your pet’s regular diet. Avoid table scraps. Foods like chocolate, grapes, onions, fatty meats, cooked bones, and anything heavily seasoned can be harmful or even deadly.
Keep alcohol and party items out of reach. Items like glow sticks, citronella candles, and lighter fluid can cause vomiting, drooling, or other serious issues if chewed or swallowed.
Only use products labeled for pets. Insect repellents with DEET are toxic to all animals, and many essential oils commonly found in “natural” products are especially dangerous to cats.
Use calming aids if needed. Products like anxiety wraps, pheromone diffusers (e.g., Adaptil or Feliway), and vet-approved calming chews or medications can reduce stress—especially for pets with a known noise phobia.
Don’t leave pets unattended outside. Even in a fenced yard, a frightened pet can dig under or jump over a barrier during fireworks.
Plan ahead if traveling. If you’re going out of town, make sure your pet sitter knows how to keep your animals calm and secure during fireworks, and confirm they have access to your vet’s info in case of emergency.
Make sure your pet’s microchip and ID tags are up to date. If they slip out during the commotion, current contact info gives them the best chance of getting home quickly.
Don’t leave pets unattended outside. Even in a fenced yard, a frightened pet can dig under or jump over a barrier during fireworks.
Plan ahead if traveling. If you’re going out of town, make sure your pet sitter knows how to keep your animals calm and secure during fireworks, and confirm they have access to your vet’s info in case of emergency.
Make sure your pet’s microchip and ID tags are up to date. If they slip out during the commotion, current contact info gives them the best chance of getting home quickly.
Thank you for doing your part to protect pets this Fourth of July.