Hot Weather Tips from the ASPCA: Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle. Hyperthermia can be fatal. Even with the windows open, a parked automobile can quickly become a furnace in no time. Parking in the shade offers little protection. Also remember that animals are stolen out of vehicles everyday, no matter how quickly the owner thought they would just "run into the store for a minute". When the temperature is very high, don't let your dog stand on hot asphalt. His/her body can heat up quickly and sensitive paw pads can burn. The right time for walks and play is in the cool of the early morning or evening. Provide fresh water and plenty of shade for animals kept outdoors. Bring animals inside during the heat of the day to rest in a cool part of the house. Not all dogs are good swimmers, introduce your pets to water gradually. Do not leave them unsupervised around a pool. Make sure pets wear flotation devices on boats. Don't let your dog drink pool water which contains chlorine and other chemicals. Be mindful of areas sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. Be alert for coolant or other automotive fluid leaking from your vehicle. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24hr line: 888-426-4435. For more tips visit aspca.org. --------------------- Can you tell if an animal has been abused? These are just a few signs from the ASPCA's list that may alert you an animal needs help: Extreme thinness or emaciation. Untreated skin conditions that have caused loss of hair, scaly skin, bumps or rashes. Collar so tight that it has caused a neck wound. Pets are tied up alone outside for long periods of time without adequate and clean food or water and shelter. Animals are housed in kennels or cages that are too small to allow them to stand, turn around and make normal movements. Animal cruelty is not only wrong--it is against the law in every state. Animal abuse can also be part of a pattern of other violent acts within families and society. Abuse of any kind should be reported to the appropriate authorities immediately. ---------------------- Emergency Pet Preparedness Ideas: Get Rescue Alert Stickers for your home. Don't leave your pets behind. If it isn't safe for you, it isn't safe for your pets. Arrange for a temporary and a more permanent caregiver. Create an emergency supplies stash and travel kit. Remember to rotate food, water and medication as time goes by. For many more details please visit aspca.org. The ASPCA website has plenty of information. Check out their Safety Tips for Kids and Pets and their Gardener's Guide. -------------------- Please Spay & Neuter your Pets. 5 million animals are put to death every year in animal shelters across the U.S. That means approximately 570 animals are killed every hour. When looking for a companion animal, please visit your local rescues and shelters. ----------------------- General Animal Safety Tips: When giving up a pet never place an ad or post online, "Free to a Good Home". People who need "bait"(all sizes) for dogfights and "bunchers", who look for animals to sell for medical research, are always looking for free dogs and cats. People value what they pay for. Take the time to interview every prospective owner. Ask for vet and personal references and check them out, then visit the animal's prospective new home. If you must buy a pet from a pet store, ask them to provide the name and contact information of the breeder of their animals. If everything is above board the store should have no problem giving you this information. Then take the info and check it out. Reputable breeders and stores will want to show that they are giving the animals appropriate and responsible care. People and companies associated with puppy mills will probably not be very forthcoming with this type of information. Some of the above information came from dogsonly.org and Oprah.com. For more tips and information visit the websites for the ASPCA and the Humane Society. |
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