CHICAGO — More than 175 dogs and cats were taken in by the city’s shelter over the Fourth of July weekend.
Chicago Animal Care and Control took in 103 dogs and at least 74 cats between Friday and Sunday, according to a spokeswoman. The holiday usually sees the most animals getting lost as they get spooked by fireworks and escape from homes and yards.
Rescue Chicago posted about the influx of animals in a Facebook post, saying some were strays while others had been dropped off by owners who didn’t like that their pets cried during the fireworks.
The group — which helps connect shelters, adopters and foster families throughout Chicago — noted Animal Control’s shelter had already been full before the holiday. With even more animals now taken in, some are at risk of being euthanized due to the lack of space, according to the Facebook post from Rescue Chicago.
“It’s been a very difficult few days at the shelter,” the group wrote on Facebook.
Those who wish to help can do so by adopting an animal, becoming a foster family and temporarily taking in at least one animal until it has a permanent home or by volunteering with Animal Control, the spokeswoman told Block Club.
Rescue Chicago said those who have a lost pet can search for him or her at Animal Control, which is open noon-7 p.m. every day at 2741 S. Western Ave. Those who might have trouble traveling there can reach out to Rescue Chicago for help.
Animal Control also suggested pet owners with lost animals contact the microchipping company they used if their pet is chipped, print and post lost animal signs in a four-block radius around the spot where the pet went missing and put items like blankets, your clothing or a dog’s bed or cat litter outside your home.
There are also popular Lost Dog and Lost Cat pages on Facebook where pet owners can seek help finding a missing animal.