Every year, shelters across the country see a sharp increase in lost animals coming into the shelter around July 4 and 5, as noisy fireworks frighten many animals.
“Studies have found that dogs and cats have a 1 in 3 chance of becoming lost in their lifetime,” Regional Animal Services Director Shyanne Schull said. “As the lost and found shelter in Washoe County, pets are brought in by Good Samaritans and Animal Service Officers when they are lost. Many of these pets are not wearing any identification or the contact information is not current on the tag or microchip. Pet identification is the single most essential tool that we have to reunite a lost pet with their family, and we make it simple and free.”
To help improve the odds of getting a lost pet back home, Regional Animal Services offers the following tips:
Make sure your pet wears a license and/or an identification tag and is microchipped.
Don’t have a tag or a microchip? Washoe County residents can stop by WCRAS during business hours for a FREE pet ID tag and a microchip.
Did you change your phone number or move? Ensure your contact information on your pet ID is current by:
Completing an update online form: forms.washoecounty.us/f/PetContactUpdate
Call us to help you: 775-353-8900
Email us to help you: pets@washoecounty.gov
Stop by in-person: 2825 Longley Lane, Suite A, Reno NV
Mon – Fri 8am -5pm; Sat 9am – 3pm (excluding holidays)
For more information or to post a lost or found animal, visit washoeanimals.com.
Media can reach out to Quinn Sweet, Program Coordinator, with any questions or to arrange an interview. Please contact her at 775-353-8917 or at qsweet@washoecounty.gov .