Help Michigan Pets

Did you know that July 5 is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters in the United States? That's when they have more strays than at any other time.

Pets don't like loud noises, and when they see and hear fireworks, they get scared. If they're outside, they run, and it's not easy to catch them.

It doesn't even have to be a major fireworks display to send a dog or cat into panic mode. Backyard fireworks have the same result. That's why it's so important to keep pets inside whenever you know or strongly suspect that fireworks will be set off.

We all know that fireworks aren't limited to just one day a year, but we also know that July 4 is a huge day for fireworks lovers. It's important to keep your pets inside so that when the action starts, they'll be safe and unable to run away in terror.

"X" stands for the unknown, and this beautiful shepherd mix (pictured) is known simply as 96560. If she ever had a name, the staff at Barry County Animal Control in Hastings doesn't know it. Instead of giving her a name while she's in their care, they assigned her a number. Her Petfinder page contains very little information but does state that she is current on shots and weighs about 59 pounds.

96560 is one of many shelter pets in Michigan (and everywhere) with a number instead of a name. These pets are strays that ended up at the shelter, and the staff members don't know much about them. If their owners don't come forward within a short time, they're put up for adoption. Their chances aren't good.

This situation is preventable. 96560 and the other unknown shelter pets would have a much better chance if they had microchips or tags with current contact information. Please, if you have pets, make sure they can be identified at all times.

Langley Cornwell's Creative Ways to Find a Lost Pet provides valuable information about what to do if your pet is lost. Resources such as America's Lost & Found Pet Database can also help.

Joey is a terrific pit bull mix who needs help now! His days are numbered unless someone decides to give him a loving forever home.

Joey is adorable! He loves people, and he loves to play. He's a very good boy, and he's even crate trained! Joey loves to give kissies, and he'll sit in your lap for as long as you let him. He promises to love you forever if you'll just give him a chance at the good life he deserves.

This handsome boy has already been neutered, and his shots are up to date. He'll need to have a tall fence at his forever home, and he'd prefer to be the only dog.

Joey's status is urgent. He's just a little boy! If you can help him, please contact the Southgate Animal Shelter before it's too late! Call Jen at 313-573-8953 ASAP ANYTIME!

Joey is far from the only pet in Michigan with an urgent status. If you'd like to help, please follow Last Chance Michigan on Twitter; although I focus on Michigan, I also tweet about pets in urgent need of help anywhere for any reason. Facebook also has a large community of animal lovers trying to make a difference.

Thank you.

Ursula is a missing dane/bullmastiff mix from Mayville. Mayville is located in the Thumb, but Ursula could be anywhere by now. She disappeared in May, and her owners are desperate to find her. The page is public, so you don't need a Facebook account to be able to see it. If you think you've seen Ursula, please contact her owners with the information.

Image courtesy of Help Us Find Ursula.

Scout needs our help! This sweet girl wandered away from home and hasn't come back yet.

Scout is a 9-year-old Jack Russell terrier. She's also blind. Scout left home after her friend, a 14-year-old Jack Russell named Cliff, died earlier this month. On July 11, she dug her way under the fence surrounding her home near Grand Ledge.

Scout may be with a woman driving a red Chevy S-10, who may work for Pizza Hut. A woman fitting this description picked Scout up after she escaped and tried unsuccessfully to find her owner. Unfortunately, Scout's owner still hasn't heard from her.

For more information, see this article and this photo.