Fourth of July is just four days away and while many families are prepping the grill, workers at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control are working to clear space.
Officials say this is their busiest time of the year. In order to make room for the influx of pets who run away after hearing fireworks, they are going to hold free adoptions this weekend for pets six months and older.
PHOTOS: 35 pets available for adoption right now in the Valley
MCACC official Melissa Gable says, "Last year we took in 635 strays and that was actually slightly higher than 2015 so it's hard to say. We're certainly bracing for 600, 650 and we just kind of have to wait and see what's going to happen."
Owners can help their pets get through the holiday by leaving them at home, keeping them inside or distracting them. Gable says loud fireworks are just too much for some pets.
"That loud noise, they obviously don't know what it is. They don't know where it's coming from. All they want to do is escape and get away from it. So if you have a dog that's in your yard and he's afraid of the fireworks he's going to try and do everything in his power to get away," she adds.
Maybe the most important thing owners can do is make sure their pets are microchipped. It'll make it easier to reunite if they do get lost or run away.
