Each year on July 5, animal shelters are packed with strays and runaways after fireworks from July 4 celebrations scare them away. However, Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control is dedicated to keeping that number down by offering those pups a free ride home.
"We don't want them to end up here at the shelter and that's what our free ride home program is all about," shelter spokesperson, Rebecca Morris said.
From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Independence Day officers will be out in the field, looking for any pets that may be spooked into running away. Those that do will get a free ride home.
“They are not going to stay in that neighborhood. They can go miles and miles away. They’re found the next day, they’re frightened, they’re scared, they’re nowhere near their home and they end up here at the shelter,” Morris explained
Morris wants pet owners to keep their furry family members inside for the night and make sure they are micro-chiped or have ID tag on them, that will make it easier for officers to find where they belong.
If your pet does go missing the first step you should take is fill out a lost pet report at macc.nashville.gov. You can view pets inside the shelter at petharbor.com.
Morris also encouraged pet owners to visit the shelter every few days if your furry family member is missing.
