Local pet owners searching for animals that bolted during Fourth of July fireworks received a brief but direct reminder during a broadcast on July 6, 2026. The segment featured an on-set interview with a shelter representative alongside an anchor and a small dog, underscoring the prevalence of frightened companion animals in the aftermath of holiday celebrations.
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AZ Family studio interview about finding lost pets after the Fourth of July — an anchor and a shelter representative sit on set with a small dog as the chyron reads 'Finding lost pets after the Fourth of July.'
A broadcast graphic shown during the piece conveyed a specific, actionable point: lost pets must be held at shelters for a minimum of 72 hours. That guidance was presented as a key step for owners to keep in mind while searching for animals that ran from noisy neighborhoods and startled surroundings.
Broadcast graphic advising pet owners that lost pets 'must be held a minimum of 72 hours' at shelters — useful guidance for finding spooked animals after Independence Day fireworks.
The segment aired mid-morning on July 6 and was updated later the same day. Viewers were reminded of the shelter holding period as a concrete step to follow: check local facilities and animal control agencies, and inquire about animals that may have been taken in following the holiday.
For those still looking for pets that ran off during fireworks, the broadcast suggested verifying whether a missing animal has been brought to a municipal shelter within the area and to follow local intake and retrieval procedures. The on-air shelter representative joined the discussion to reinforce the importance of contacting the appropriate facilities during the days immediately after the holiday.
Anyone with questions about a lost pet in the Phoenix area was encouraged to reach out to local shelters and animal control offices for specific instructions and to confirm holding policies. The broadcast aimed to provide timely reminders for owners dealing with the aftermath of holiday noise and the sudden disappearance of companion animals.
Maricopa County Animal Care & Control reported taking in over 108 dogs since July 4, highlighting the typical post-holiday spike also noted by the American Animal Hospital Association as a 30-60% national increase. Multiple local shelters, including Arizona Humane Society, now use Petco Love Lost for lost pet reports with facial recognition to aid reunions, per county officials.
Maricopa County distinguishes between unlicensed strays and identified/licensed dogs: unidentifed strays are held for a minimum of 72 hours, while licensed or otherwise identified dogs are given a longer "hold‑notify" period (about 120 hours) to give owners extra time to reclaim them.
Maricopa County Animal Care & Control does not impound stray cats; people who lose or find cats are advised to report them on Petco Love Lost and to check neighborhood lost‑and‑found groups because cats are typically not taken into county shelters.
For owners searching in person, MCACC’s West shelter is at 2500 S. 27th Avenue in Phoenix and the East shelter is at 1920 S. Lewis in Mesa; public hours listed on the county site are roughly 12–6 p.m. on weekdays and 12–5 p.m. on weekends, and MCACC can be reached at 602‑506‑7387 (main Maricopa County line 602‑506‑3011).
Maricopa County and local vets will scan found animals for microchips free of charge, the county posts found animals on a Stray Map and on 24PetConnect to aid reunions, and the Arizona Humane Society accepts sick or injured stray animals (contact 602‑997‑7585 for injured strays).