(Photo via Maricopa County Animal Care and Control - Facebook)

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control recommends following these steps to increase your chances of being reunited with pets.

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control are caring for more than 1,000 dogs and cats after Fourth of July weekend.

Melissa Gable, spokeswoman for Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, said summer is already a busy time for shelters — but after Independence Day this is always its busiest time. 

“I do believe most of the strays that we have come in over the past weekend are due to the fireworks. A lot of the folks that have been coming to the shelters in search of their lost pets have lost them as a result of July 4th festivities,” she said.

Gable said shelters across the Valley are overwhelmed with lost and stray animals and they’re trying to get them home. 

This weekend Maricopa County shelters are waiving their fee for holding lost pets in the shelter.