With the approaching Independence Day holiday, Metro Animal Care and Control (MACC) is reminding community members to keep their pets' safety in mind. Several hazards can cause harm and stress to animals, including fireworks, holiday gatherings and hot conditions. Planning ahead can help keep your pet safe and avoid anxiety about a possible lost pet. MACC will be waiving reclaim fees through Sunday, July 6 to ensure more families will be able to reclaim their pets during a particularly busy time of the year at MACC.
"It's not uncommon for pets to run away during this time of the year, especially as fireworks become more common and families spend more time outdoors," said Ashley Harrington, Director of MACC. "Taking steps like ensuring your pet is microchipped, checking for holes or openings on fences and keeping your pets inside during parties and gatherings can make it much less likely you spend your holiday searching for your missing pet."
In 2024, MACC returned 1,031 pets to their families, many of those due to the pet's microchip. Pet owners are encouraged to update the information on their pets' microchips to ensure they can be returned most easily. Microchip information can be updated through a veterinarian or through accessing the chip's online database. MACC's Free Ride Home service allows a lost pet encountered by MACC's Animal Control Team to be returned directly to their home with no trip to the shelter, provided the pet's microchip information is current.
In the event a pet does go missing, there are steps and resources available to pet owners to try to locate their missing pet. Local Lost and Found Groups offer help in reuniting pets with their owners when they are found. The online community of volunteers that make up the lost and found groups help reconnect many families with their pets without a trip to the shelter.
In the event a pet is found by a neighbor or community member, there are steps the finder can take to help reunite the pet with their family before contacting MACC. Check the pet's collar for contact information. Found pets can also be posted to 24PetConnect.com under the "Found a pet" tab. The finder can also look through the "Lost my pet" tab to see if the found pet has been reported missing. Posting the found pet on Lost and Found Groups online can also help reunite the pet with their family. Flyers and posters can also be created to generate awareness of the found pet. Lost pets are often located near their home, making posters and flyers particularly useful.
Temperatures this week are expected to remain high, with the potential for storms throughout the week. Pet owners should make sure their pets have a shady place to escape the sun when outdoors and plenty of clean water. Walk dogs earlier in the day or in the evening to help them better deal with the heat and watch out for their paws on hot pavement. Metro regulations prohibit tethering when the heat index reaches 95 degrees, as well as during thunderstorms. If possible, consider bringing outdoor pets inside when weather conditions worsen.
MACC's Animal Control team will be active on and around July 4. MACC's facility will be closed on July 4 in observance of Independence Day, with Animal Control Officers responding to emergency calls. In-shelter reclaim services will not be available on July 4, increasing the need for mitigation techniques to reduce the chances a pet runs away on July 4. MACC's facility will reopen in its entirety on July 5 with reclaim services available from noon to 4 p.m.
Metro Animal Care and Control (MACC) is committed to the delivery of effective, courteous, and responsive animal care and control services to the residents of Nashville/Davidson County. MACC's mission is to promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of pets and people in Nashville. Our goals are to build partnerships within the community to promote responsible pet ownership, decrease the overpopulation of domestic pets through spay-neuter programs, and to place adoptable animals in good homes.