About half of runaway dogs from Fourth of July in Long Beach reunited with owners

Roughly half of the dogs who ended up at Long Beach Animal Care Services’ shelter in the days surrounding the Fourth of July holiday have been retued to their owners.

Dogs and cats have more acute senses of hearing than humans, so fireworks displays that may be thrilling to humans can be frightening to their pets. That’s why the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals advises pet owners to keep their animals safe at home inside an “escape-proof” area during times when celebratory bombs are bursting in air.

As of Thursday moing, Long Beach Animal Care workers had helped to retu 24 of the 49 canines impounded at the shelter from Sunday through Wednesday.

Ted Stevens, Long Beach’s Animal Care Services manager, said in an email that the remaining 25 dogs brought to the shelter over recent days are subject to 6-day holds. If the dogs’ owners do not show up to claim their pets before the hold expires, the animals can be adopted to others visiting the shelter to find a pet.

The shelter, formally named P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, is located at 7700 East Spring St.

In other pet-related news, Animal Care Services’ plans to host its second Kitty Hall event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Long Beach City Hall. Kitty Hall visitors who decide to take a feline home with them can do so for a $20 adoption fee.

City Hall is located at 333 W. Ocean Blvd.

For more information, call Animal Care Services at 562-570-7387.