HUNTSVILLE — Huntsville Animal Services is launching a first-of-its-kind outreach event to help prevent the annual post-Fourth of July spike in lost pets.
Visit the Jaycee Building at John Hunt Park from 2-6 p.m. June 22 for Boom-Proof Your Pet, a HAS initiative featuring free and low-cost resources to help pets stay safe, healthy and home.
Huntsville Animal Services Director John Fischer said Huntsville Animal Services is believed to be the first shelter in the country to launch a large-scale outreach effort specifically focused on pre-holiday prevention.
“This event is about getting ahead of the problem before it starts,” said Fischer. “Every Fourth of July, shelters across the country fill up with lost pets frightened by fireworks. We wanted to flip the script by empowering pet owners with the tools they need to keep their animals safe at home.”
Free services and supplies include:
- Microchipping
- Collars, leashes & ID tags
- Flea/tick prevention (courtesy of Helping Animals Without Shelter)
- Spay/neuter vouchers
- Pet food
- Nail trims (non-fractious pets)
- Dog toys & giveaways from Nylabone
- Low-cost vaccines (pending availability)
The city urges pet owners to attend and help spread the word. With early action, the community can reduce shelter crowding and keep more pets with the families who love them.
Animal Services is open Mondays and Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For information, call 256-883-3782, visit HuntsvilleAL.gov/Animal, or visit the Facebook page.
