local
Most pets go missing on 4th of July; how to keep yours from ending up at the shelter
By Nicole Ardila at KVIA ABC-7
· June 29, 2026
· 3 min read
The City of El Paso Animal Services says during this time of year, especially the July 4th holiday, is when most pets go missing and the shelter receives an over-abundance of pets at their door.
Animal services has been sounding the alarm that the shelter is overcrowded with over 1,000 animal...
Key takeaway Animal services has been sounding the alarm that the shelter is overcrowded with over 1,000 animals and 500 to 600 more coming in every week.
Why this matters in The El Paso
As the City of El Paso Animal Services warns of an overcrowded shelter with over 1,000 animals, the upcoming 4th of July holiday poses a significant challenge for local pet owners. With 500 to 600 more animals arriving at the shelter every week, it's crucial for residents to take preventative measures to ensure their pets' safety. By microchipping and securing their pets indoors, El Pasoans can help reduce the number of lost pets and alleviate the burden on the shelter. The City's offer of free microchipping services and $2.50 pet adoptions this week is a step in the right direction, but community involvement is key. By working together to keep pets safe and supporting the Finder to Foster Program, El Pasoans can increase the chances of reuniting lost pets with their owners, ultimately keeping families together and reducing the strain on local animal services.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The City of El Paso Animal Services says during this time of year, especially the July 4th holiday, is when most pets go missing and the shelter receives an over-abundance of pets at their door.
Animal services has been sounding the alarm that the shelter is overcrowded with over 1,000 animal...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nicole Ardila at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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