CHICO, Calif. — Although fireworks are illegal in Butte County, celebrations to bring in the new year could be heard throughout the night, sometimes scaring pets and causing them to run away.
There are some things you can do if you found or lost a pet this New Year's.
If you find a pet in the streets, the Chico Animal Shelter website says to think of the animal as lost, not stray. Pets may appear to look like they may have been abandoned, but they may just be fearful and looking for safety.
If you find a dog or cat, it is best to reach out to a shelter in the area the animal was found. This gives owners the best opportunity to reunite with their pets.
If you are unsure what the best shelter to call is, contact your local law enforcement agency or sheriff’s department.
If you are unable to bring the animal into a shelter, call law enforcement as soon as you see it and file a found animal report to possibly have the animal picked up.
Check the animals for any identification and contact the owner or animal services near you.
Reach out to neighbors to see if anyone has seen your lost pet and check local animal shelters to see if anyone has brought it in as lost.
The Butte Humane Society recommends to check shelters every four days and file a report with local shelters and animal control agencies online.
Check local groups on social media to see if anyone has posted a lost animal, or post photos of the animal yourself to alert neighbors.
If your pet is microchipped, call the microchip company and report the animal as lost.
Consider your lost pet as an emergency and start searching for them as soon as you notice they’re missing, do not wait for them to come back.
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