Phoenix Shelters Offer Tips to Keep Pets Safe and Find Them if Lost

Memorial Day and Fourth of July are peak times for lost pets, but microchips, secure yards, and social media can help reunite furry friends.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:37pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, impressionistic photograph of a pet playing in a backyard, with soft, blurred edges and warm, vibrant colors creating a sense of joy and movement.Shelters advise pet owners to take steps to prevent their furry friends from getting lost, especially during busy summer holidays.Phoenix Today

With summer celebrations approaching, Phoenix-area animal shelters are warning pet owners to take precautions to prevent their pets from going missing. Experts recommend microchipping, updating contact information, and pet-proofing backyards to keep animals from escaping. If a pet does get lost, shelters advise searching the neighborhood, posting on social media, and using online tools like Petco Love Lost to help reunite them.

Why it matters

Pets going missing is a common problem, especially around holidays with loud noises and celebrations that can spook animals. Shelters see a spike in lost pets during this time, but proactive steps can help keep pets safe and increase the chances of being reunited if they do get lost.

The details

Paulina Garcia Forte of the Arizona Animal Welfare League says cats and dogs 'get spooked very easily' during events like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, leading them to run away and get lost. Experts recommend microchipping pets, making sure the contact information is up-to-date, and securing backyards to prevent pets from escaping. If a pet does go missing, the advice is to search the neighborhood, post on social media, put up flyers, and use online tools like Petco Love Lost that use facial recognition to help reunite lost pets.

  • Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are among the most common times pets go missing.
  • In March 2026, Maricopa County Animal Care and Control took in 1,698 pets, with 1,151 being lost animals.

The players

Paulina Garcia Forte

Social media and content specialist for the Arizona Animal Welfare League.

Kim Powell

Communications supervisor for Maricopa County Animal Care and Control.

Kelsey Dickerson

Spokesperson for Arizona Humane Society.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'Cats and dogs, they get spooked very easily. They'll run away. It's very easy to get lost in all things that are happening. Maybe you don't even notice.'”

— Paulina Garcia Forte, Social media and content specialist, Arizona Animal Welfare League

“'The majority of the dogs that we get in are all lost pets, which is really heartbreaking.'”

— Kim Powell, Communications supervisor, Maricopa County Animal Care and Control

“'There's a lot of times when these pets come into the shelter and we try calling, but the number isn't working anymore.'”

— Kelsey Dickerson, Spokesperson, Arizona Humane Society

What’s next

Shelters recommend pet owners take steps to prevent their pets from going missing, such as microchipping, updating contact information, and securing backyards. If a pet does get lost, they advise searching the neighborhood, posting on social media, and using online tools like Petco Love Lost to help reunite the pet.

The takeaway

Keeping pets safe and being prepared in case they do go missing is crucial, especially around busy summer holidays when pets are more likely to get spooked and run away. By taking proactive steps, pet owners can increase the chances of being reunited with a lost furry friend.