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Open Your Heart (and Home) to a Furry Friend This Fourth of July
By Staff Writer
Published on Tue, Jun 30, 2026
The Fourth of July holiday marks one of the busiest times of the year for Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) due to the increase in runaway pets in response to fireworks and other environmental stressors. This year, you can help out by fostering a pet to open up kennel space at LBACS.
Fostering pets at this time of year is crucial to opening up kennel space at LBACS and making sure as many animals can be rescued as possible. LBACS is launching its annual Foster the Fourth Initiative encouraging members of the community to foster pets in desperate need of a home, providing them with valuable resources to make their fostering journey a success and sharing helpful tips for pet reunification and safety.
On Tuesday, June 30, LBACS (7700 E. Spring St.) will have extended hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with concierge-style matchmaking services to ensure families looking to foster a pet can find the right fit. Those taking home a furry friend to foster will also be provided with veterinary care, food and comfort supplies.
As part of the Foster the Fourth Initiative, LBACS also encourages community members to follow these tips to keep pets safe and support reunification efforts if necessary:
- Keep pets indoors in a quiet, secure room if possible and create a calm environment using music, fans or white noise.
- Make sure your pets are wearing ID tags with updated information including name, address and phone number. For added protection, consider having your pet microchipped at LBACS during an upcoming low-cost microchip clinic.
- Ensure your pet has a current license through DocuPet.
- If you find a lost pet, keeping the pet with you safely for 48 hours is typically the fastest way to help them find their families. If you’re able to care for them temporarily, LBACS can provide supplies such as food, crates and beds to those sheltering a lost pet. Posting the pet on social media, neighborhood groups and checking with local neighbors are great ways to help connect lost pets to their owners.
- Any lost pets that you encounter and are unable to keep with you may be brought to LBACS (7700 E. Spring St.) or call 562.570.7387 for an Animal Control Officer to respond. LBACS will be open on July 4 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to assist with found strays and reunification efforts.
For more information about the Foster the Fourth Initiative or Animal Care Services, visit longbeach.gov/acs or call 562.570.7387.
