If your house feels a little empty and you’ve been dreaming about a furry companion, Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control might have the perfect deal for you. After the fireworks faded, the shelter was flooded — again — with pets spooked by the Fourth of July chaos. Now they’re turning that annual problem into a chance for new beginnings.

Fireworks and Frightened Pets Go Hand in Hand

It happens every year like clockwork. Fireworks send dogs, cats, and other critters sprinting for safety — often far from home.

Tyna Reiter, outreach coordinator at the shelter, said they always brace for it. “Unfortunately we always get an influx around the holidays,” she said. “The lights are scary not only to dogs but cats too.”

She added one sentence: Some pets never make it back home.

Joining Forces to Find Forever Homes

This time, the staff decided to tackle the problem with a nationwide push. They’re joining over 300 other shelters in the popular “Empty the Shelters” adoption event.

The deal? Senior dogs, kittens, cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits — all up for adoption for free.

One short note: It’s an incentive that saves lives and clears kennel space.

Senior Dogs Deserve a Second Look

One big myth Reiter wants to bust is about older dogs. People assume they won’t be around long or that they’re too much work. She says the reality’s way better than you’d think.

“A lot of times senior dogs are overlooked because you think you don’t have that much time with them, but honestly, especially the small ones, they live for a long time,” she said. Plus, they’ve usually mastered the basics.

A bullet for good measure:

• Senior pups often come house-trained and know commands.

Basically, they’re great for busy folks who don’t have time for puppy potty training.

Picking the Right Pet for Your Life

It’s tempting to just go in and fall in love with the first wagging tail or fuzzy face you see. But Reiter says it’s better to think about your schedule and what kind of companion you can truly handle.

“If you have a really chaotic schedule that wouldn’t fit on taking an animal out at certain times, maybe a dog isn’t the best,” she said. “Maybe you need an animal that can go with you.”

If that’s not realistic? A cat or smaller pet might be the smarter match.

One line: It’s all about finding a balance between your needs and theirs.

A Chance to Give Back, and Get a Friend for Life

For folks on the fence about adoption, Reiter says now’s the perfect time. These pets didn’t ask to end up at the shelter — they just want a safe place and someone to love them.

The promotion will run while space and funding last, so the sooner you visit, the more pets you’ll get to meet.

A local volunteer, Greg Jensen, summed it up best: “Every adoption makes room for the next lost soul.”