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Nevada Humane Society, Reno Fire Department and Sparks Fire Department Unite to Urge Safe Fourth of July Celebrations to Protect Pets and Communities
RENO, Nev. (June 20,2024) –The Nevada Humane Society (NHS), a nonprofit animal shelter working to save animal lives in northern Nevada, joined with the Reno Fire Department and Sparks Fire Department today at a press conference to emphasize the importance of safety during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. Jerleen Bryant, CEO at NHS, Chief David Cochrane from the Reno Fire Department and Division Chief Scott Means from the Sparks Fire Department discussed the legalities and dangers of fireworks, their impact on pets, and the steps that can be taken to safeguard animals in the community, including a commitment by NHS to offer free microchips at an event June 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at their Reno and Carson City locations.
To further equip the community to better respond to runaway pets following the holiday, NHS has purchased two microchip scanners that will permanently remain at the Reno Fire Department’s Station 1 and Station 3. The nonprofit has committed to purchasing additional scanners so that all Reno Fire Stations can have these scanners on hand by this time 2025.
According to various kennels and authorities in the country, more dogs and cats go missing on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year. As Bryant referenced, there are still high numbers of animals coming into NHS shelters. Because the shelter is space-dependent, the partners took the opportunity to reiterate the importance of taking proper precautions now in order to calm or protect your pet. As the most ideal precaution, the partners discussed that microchipping can help those animals that might flee during fireworks displays to make their way back to their families. Weekly metrics for NHS animal counts can be found on the organization’s site and are announced every Monday on its Facebook and Instagram pages.
Chief Cochrane cited that the Reno Fire Department experiences an estimated 120-140 calls in a 5-6 hour block on July Fourth, which is 5 to 6 times higher than normal call volume. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and reported by USA Today, more than 10,000 fireworks-related injuries were reported in the country in 2023.
“The 4th of July should be a happy day spent with friends and loved ones, enjoying the freedoms we have here in this country,” said Chief Cochrane. “And yet, every year area fire response crews and emergency personnel treat the 4th of July with increased concern. In addition to the calls we respond to, we also know that fireworks have an adverse impact on differently abled individuals, senior citizens, refugees, veterans, and of course, our furry friends.”
Chief Cochrane added it was his duty to remind everyone that fireworks are illegal to possess, transport or light within Washoe County and the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.
“Our intake numbers the last few weeks have jumped to uncomfortable levels,” said Bryant. “And while there are fluctuations, the demand continues to rise and our ability to take these animals from the public is space dependent. We know that pets with microchips are three times more likely to be reunified with their families than those without, and because we want area pets to be with their families rather than be displaced, we are joining our partners at Washoe County Regional Animal Services by stepping up to offer free microchips ahead of the fourth.”
Nevada Humane Society will offer free microchips on June 29 at both its Reno and Carson City locations from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The effort is a means to bolster the number of pets that are identifiable in northern Nevada ahead of the 4th of July. Regardless of where an individual’s pet comes from, they are able to register and bring their pet to either location to receive their animal’s free microchip. Bryant reminded individuals that Washoe County Regional Animal Services (WCRAS) offers free microchipping throughout the year if they are unable to participate on June 29.
Division Chief Scott Means added there are multiple safe and legal celebrations for individuals to enjoy in the community, referencing a cumulative list prepared by social media outlet and blogging collective, Nevada Moms, at bit.ly/July4Reno. He announced that NHS and Sparks Fire Department would begin discussing the possibility of installing microchip scanners in all Sparks Fire Stations. He reminded the audience that individuals who find a lost pet can take them to Reno’s Fire Station 1 or Station 3, to any Pet Station retail location in the area, WCRAS, or NHS.
The NHS serves as the public surrender agency for Washoe County, working with WCRAS through its professional service agreement. While the two entities are separate, they both prioritize animal welfare outcomes in the region. Animals taken in at WCRAS are evaluated and held for five days to provide owners time to reclaim them. After that period of time, if not reclaimed, those pets are made available to NHS and other rescue partners to transfer into adoption programs for rehoming.
