This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — Cages and kennels at local animal shelters are full to capacity after a busy first week of July.

More than 300 animals are currently waiting for forever homes at the Salt Lake County Animal Services.

“Animals are stressed and they are looking for places to escape,” Sgt. Karl Carpenter with Salt Lake County Animal Services said. “We are seeing more strays, more impounds into the shelter and more animals we need to try and return home.”

Carpenter attributes the fireworks and vacationing families to the high number of unaccounted animals.

“The fireworks are not helping,” Carpenter said. “Owners can play music for their pets or let them listen to the TV to drown out some of those stressful noises.”

Animal service officials recommend animal microchips and offer them to all Salt Lake County residents for free. The Salt Lake County Animal Shelter is currently housing hundreds of dogs, cats, turtles, rabbits and goats.

They are all looking for forever families.

“We put all our animals on our website so that people can browse and then come to the shelter to meet their potential pet of choice," Carpenter said.

Officials said this is a good time to adopt a pet.

“The response from people over the last few days has been incredible,” Carpenter said.

In the past few days, 42 animals have been adopted and officials hope the adoption streak continues. You can find more information at AdoptUtahPets.com.

If you see an abandoned or lost animal, officials encourage you to call 801-743-7000.