KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — People may find fireworks exciting and pretty, but for animal companions across the East Tennessee area, they can be frightening. This can cause dogs and cats to panic, scrambling away from home and eventually being reported missing.
On Friday, the day after July 4, the Young-Williams Animal Center said it saw a long intake line as people brought stray animals found around their neighborhoods to the shelter. The shelter said fireworks from Fourth of July celebrations likely prompted more animals to run from home, causing them to get lost.
"Hopefully they'll get reclaimed, but also, keep in mind if they don't those animals will be available for adoption. We can do pre-adoption applications, contingent on that animal being reclaimed by its family," said Janet Testerman, the CEO of Young-Williams.
The shelter said every Fourth of July, animal service officers respond to around three times the usual number of calls involving lost pets. It also said all pets are free to adopt this weekend, and this time of year the shelter is usually busy and full of animals.
Young-Williams said anyone who lost a pet should visit the Petco Love Lost website and upload their pet's photo to the database. It uses facial recognition technology to help people identify and reunite with their lost pets. They can also text LOST to 865-355-6277 for more information.
It also said on its website that anyone who finds a stray animal in Knoxville or Knox County should call the intake department at 865-215-6665. If they do not plan to keep the pet, they should bring it to the shelter's main facility at 3201 Division Street.