NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Metro Animal Care and Control (MACC) is advising pet owners to take extra precautions even after the Fourth of July holiday.
“Between holiday firework shows and more outdoor gatherings, it’s not uncommon for pets to run amok this time of year,” said Ashley Harrington, MACC Director. “Taking steps like keeping your pets inside, checking for holes or holes in fences, and making sure your pets are microchipped can make it less likely you’re going to spend your vacation looking for your lost pet.”
As of 2023, MACC has successfully reunited 1,022 pets with their families, with many of those reunions made possible by pet microchips. Pet owners are encouraged to update the information on microchips to ensure they can be easily returned. This can be done through a veterinarian, or by accessing the online chip database.
We hung out at the MACC shelter and talked to some owners, hearing from them and seeing their furry friends in the player above.
MACC’s Free Ride Home service allows a lost pet to be returned directly to their home without a trip to the shelter, if the pet’s microchip information is up to date.
If a pet goes missing, there are several steps and resources available to help find them.
Local Lost and Found Groups offer assistance in reuniting pets with their owners. Online communities of volunteers are helping to reconnect many families with their pets without a trip to the shelter.
If a pet is found by a neighbor or community member, there are steps the finder can take to help reunite the pet with their family before contacting MACC. They should check the pet’s collar for contact information and post the found pet on 24PetConnect.com under the “Found pet” tab. The finder can also check the “My pet is lost” tab to see if the found pet has been reported missing.
They say posting a found pet in Lost and Found Groups online can also help. Flyers and posters are particularly useful, as lost pets are often found close to home, MACC officials added.
MACC communications director Matt Peters emphasized the importance of being proactive. “Microchips are very important. Make sure the information is up-to-date because that’s a great way to make sure the pet always finds its way home,” Peters said.
Fridays are busy for MACC, with community members coming in to pick up their lost pets or drop off animals they find spooked by fireworks. Peters said this year, they didn’t have as many stray pets come in through Animal Control, because of the fireworks.
However, many members of the community came to the shelter to hand over the animals they had taken, who were scared by the fireworks overnight.
MACC is currently waiving reclaim fees until July 7th. The shelter is at capacity, so the staff is looking for fosters and waiving adoption fees for those looking to adopt a new pet.
For more information on how to update microchip information or for assistance with a lost or found pet, visit the MACC website or contact their office directly.
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