Southern California storms drive lost animals into local shelters

Winter storms that have ravaged Southern California for the last week have caused issues for homeowners and drivers, but have also left a toll on pets.

The driving rain, flash floods and whipping winds have led to many displaced and lost dogs ending up in local shelters.

OC Animal Care says it has seen an influx of dogs arriving at shelters throughout Orange County, likely due to the storms. Dozens have been taken into its shelters in the last week.

Because of the increase in animals being brought to its shelter, OC Animal Care is asking the public to consider opening up their homes to foster these displaced pets.

“Opening your home gives a current shelter dog a loving home to weather the storm and enables the shelter to prioritize housing for lost dogs as they wait for their families to bring them home,” officials said in a news release.

Those interested in becoming a temporary foster family can reach out via email.

Officials are urging pet owners to take extra precautions to make sure their beloved pets don’t get lost in the storms and find themselves in a shelter — or worse.

Pet owners are being urged to bring their animals indoors during heavy rainfall. If that can’t be done, providing them with a safe and dry shelter outside is “essential,” as is securely containing them in your home or yard to prevent them from wandering.

It’s also important to take proactive measures to make sure your pet can be properly identified. Preventative measures include making sure your pet has a well-fitting collar and ID tag and ensuring that your contact information is current if your pet is microchipped.

If you’ve found any lost or stray pets, OC Animal Care urges you to report it to your local animal control agency, check with neighbors and use the internet to advertise that they’ve been found.

For a list of cities served by OC Animal Care, click here.

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