Las Vegas animal rescue group Paws Patrol LV is responding to a surge in lost pet reports following New Year’s fireworks. The loud celebrations caused many pets to flee their homes, leading to an increase in animals reported missing across the city.
Paws Patrol LV received a large number of calls and messages from pet owners reporting lost, found, injured, or deceased animals. Joyce Freeman of Paws Patrol LV told FOX5 Vegas that the organization has been handling a constant flow of emails, messages, texts, and phone calls throughout the night and into the following day.
One of the pets affected was a dog named Stella, who became disoriented and frightened by the fireworks. She was found shivering near a door and was rescued before being reunited with her owners. Joyce Freeman of Paws Patrol LV said to FOX5 Vegas that reuniting pets with their owners ensures the animals remain with someone who loves them rather than entering the shelter system.
Another case involved a dog, later named Tubbs, who was struck by a car after running into the street and suffered a shattered leg that required amputation. Paws Patrol LV is attempting to locate Tubbs’ owner and highlighted the importance of microchipping pets for identification and safe return. A rescuer described securing the injured dog as “just precious," according to FOX5 Vegas.
Social media groups, including Lost Dogs of Las Vegas, were flooded with posts about lost and found pets following the New Year’s celebrations. Paws Patrol LV urged the public to secure any found animals, check for microchips, and use online resources such as Pawboost and Nextdoor to report and search for missing pets, as per 8 News Now.
