PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) invites the community to participate in Foster the 4th, an initiative focused on providing safe homes for shelter animals during the Fourth of July holiday period.

“I encourage all residents to consider temporarily fostering a shelter animal during the busy Independence Day season,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “Fostering allows Long Beach Animal Care Services to provide more spaces for animals displaced due to the effects of illegal fireworks and to get them reunited with their families.”

Every Independence Day, LBACS experiences a surge in incoming lost pets who run away from home due to the fear of fireworks. The sudden bright flashes and loud noises can cause animals to panic and run into roadways, resulting in unsafe conditions for both animals and drivers alike. The influx of lost animals results in strained resources and limited kennel spaces at the shelter. Currently, LBACS is over capacity and encourages the public to foster or adopt ahead of the Fourth of July holiday to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

Foster the 4th kicks off Sunday, June 23, with a special adoption and fostering event where attendees will receive information and resources, meet the adoptable animals available for fostering, and learn ways to prevent shelter overcrowding. The kickoff event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at LBACS (7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90815).

Additional Foster the 4th opportunities will take place at LBACS (7700 E. Spring St.) during the following dates and times and by appointment only. People can email PetFoster@longbeach.gov to schedule an appointment. 

• Tuesday, June 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To become a short-term foster, the following are required:

• Submit a Foster Application online.
• Commit to fostering a pet for a minimum of 30 days or longer.
• Keep the foster pet separate from personal pets. This prevents diseases and ensures all pets are safe.
• Provide regular communication with the Foster Coordinator and/or LBACS staff with updates and pictures.

 Selected fosters will be provided veterinary care, all food and supplies (bowls, bed, litter pans, crate, etc.), and foster guides and resources to help acclimate their foster pet to their new home. For more information on the Foster the 4th event, please visit the LBACS Fourth of July webpage.

“One of our main priorities is to ensure that people and pets stay together,” said Melanie Wagner, Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau Manager. “Pets separated from their families can be devastating for everyone involved. It can happen at any time, but especially during firework season. I encourage people to prepare their pets now by getting microchips, having current tags and also familiarizing themselves with the other pets in their community. Often, an animal's best chance of getting reunited is by the people in our own neighborhoods.”

To ensure your pet’s safety during this holiday season, please follow these tips:

• Safer At Home – Pets are more sensitive to loud noises, flashing lights and strong smells. It is best to secure your pets safely and comfortably indoors, preferably with a radio or TV turned on to soften jarring noises.
• ID Tags Are the Ticket Home – Pets can become so frightened during fireworks that they may escape the noise by breaking through windows or door screens. All pets should always wear collars with ID tags.
• Microchip Your Pet Now – Obtaining a microchip will help ensure that a pet can be identified and reunited with their owner if they become lost or separated due to the fear of fireworks. Ensure your pet is microchipped and is registered with your current contact information. Microchips are available for purchase at LBACS low-cost vaccine clinics held every Monday, second Friday, and fourth Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at LBACS (7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90815).

Long Beach Animal Care Services ensures "Compassion Saves" by supporting the people and animals of the community through outreach, education, guidance and support services, and protects shelter animals by creating an environment of care through enrichment and innovative programs. For more information on services and programs provided, visit longbeach.gov/acs.

About the City of Long Beach    
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about Long Beach Animal Care Services is available at longbeach.gov/acs and on social at @LBAnimalCare on Instagram and Facebook.