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BROWNSVILLE — As summer presses on, the Brownsville Animal Regulation & Care Center has a few tips — and requests — to help keep this time safe and happy for our four-legged companions.
The deputy director of animal services, Antonio L. Caldwell, reports that the center has recently experienced an uptick in the number of dogs brought in by animal control and public drop-offs with no way to find their homes.
“As animals are coming in, our goal is to reunite them with their families. We are seeing a huge number of animals that are coming in with no identification or microchips,” Caldwell said.
The center stresses that microchipping pets is extremely important in emergencies if a pet unexpectedly leaves their home or yard. The microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, is placed under the skin as a permanent implant. Each microchip has an associated number that comes up when scanned and can be run through a database to find the manufacturer and pull up the registered owner’s information.
But a vital component of this process is that owners must also complete the registration with the manufacturer and keep that information current. The center has several dogs with microchips currently without completed registration and so there’s no information to contact the owners.
Caldwell says the center has several microchips on hand if the public would like to microchip their animal, while their supplies last, to help ensure that if lost, their furry friends can easily find their way back to them.
Additionally, the center recommends that pet owners ensure that if their animals like to be outside, they make periodic checks that their fences are free from holes that animals can escape through. It is also vital that pets have properly fitted collars and that dogs be on a leash when not on the owner’s property to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
As families spend time together in the summer, it might be the perfect time to add a new member if they’ve been on the fence about it.
“While people are home for summer, it’s a great time to introduce a new pet into your home. As more animals come into the shelter, it is even more important that adoptions are happening. So if someone is looking for a new pet, we would love for them to come to the shelter,” Operations Manager Taylor Lefebvre said.
Currently, the center reports roughly 120 dogs and 100 cats on site looking for their new families. For adopters, the center has a $25 adoption special, covering spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip and heartworm preventative if older than six months.
For animal lovers who can’t adopt, the center is asking for donations of wet food for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens. Also, any gently used linens, towels or comforters are appreciated. The animals also need enrichment items such as treats and either new or in good condition toys. Volunteers to help socialize and spend time with the animals are also always in need.
The center is also participating in PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week and will bring out pets for adoption at PetSmart’s Brownsville location from 12 to 5 p.m. July 14 through 16.
The Brownsville Animal Regulation & Care Center is open Monday to Thursday from 1 to 6 p.m., Friday 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, visit the website or call (956) 544-7351.
