Sacramento County Dedicated to Reuniting Animal Storm Victims
Sacramento, CA. December 11, 2014 – The recent strong winds and rain are likely to frighten pets and blow open gates or topple fences causing pets to run away from the threat. These lost animals, often picked up by Animal Control Officers or are dropped off by good Samaritans, await their owners at the County’s Bradshaw Animal Shelter.
In an effort to help residents reunite with their animals that get lost due to storm damage, Sacramento County Animal Care and Regulation will waive the redemption fees from today until Sunday night.
Dave Dickinson, Director of Animal Care and Regulation, said, “Fees at the Bradshaw Animal Shelter are used to recoup costs associated with pickup, transport and housing of the lost animals, but we are allowing this exception for this exceptional storm impacting our region.”
During the storm, the best way to protect your pets is to keep them indoors in a sheltered area and be sure to have them wear collars and ID tags. Also, get your pet micro-chipped if you haven’t already – the County provides low cost microchips. In fact, the Bradshaw Animal Shelter has been able to reunite owners with micro-chipped pets in less than an hour if the microchip phone number and email addresses are kept current and the owner responds. Also, if your pet is extremely anxious during storms, talk with your veterinarian about possible options.
“It is common after storms like these that lost pets fill the Bradshaw Shelter. Our number one priority after such an event is to reunite pets with their owners as quickly as possible,” said Dickinson.
If pets do get lost, check out the County’s Lost and Found Pets web page and view other Pet Owner Tips.
The Bradshaw Animal Shelter is open Wednesday – Friday, 12:30 – 5:30 p.m., Saturday – Sunday, Noon–4:30 p.m. and is closed Monday and Tuesday and most holidays.
Contact Information: Brenda Bongiorno, Communication and Media Officer, 916.216.5825.
