Humane Society of Yuma offers pet summer safety tips
When keeping cool this summer, the Humane Society of Yuma encourages the public to keep their animal companions in mind to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Officials with HSOY note that keeping pets indoors is ideal. However, if that is not an option, the organization urges pet owners to ensure that their pets have the resources to protect them from the heat.
During the summer months especially, it is vital for pets to have access to a cool, protected area and cool, clean water at all times. Warm and/or contaminated water can put a pet’s health in jeopardy.
“Please refresh your pet’s water in a clean, plastic container in a shaded area,” an HSOY news release reads.
It is noted by HSOY that pet owners should keep in mind that an area that is shady in the morning may not be shady in the afternoon or early evening.
While taking dogs and pets on summer outings, HSOY recommends bringing water for your animal friend and to offer rest often when going on a hike or taking pets to the river or lake.
HSOY says symptoms of dehydration can include loss of appetite, lethargy, panting, dry or sunken eyes, dry nose, dry mouth and loss of skin elasticity. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include excessive panting, drooling, reddened gums, vomiting, diarrhea, uncoordinated movement and collapse.
An option for pet owners is providing access to a clean, small, hard plastic pool to cool off.
Along with dehydration and heat exhaustion, burns are another concern for the summer, HSOY warns.
Burned or raw paws can be slow healing for dogs. As concrete absorbs and holds onto the heat, the hard surface is much hotter than the ambient temperature, HSOY notes.
“If you need to take your dog out on these surfaces, test the ground with your bare hand or foot,” the HSOY release states. “If it is too hot for your bare hand or foot, your pet will need protection. Protective booties or alternative surfaces such as natural grass are your options.”
Along with burned paws, HSOY stressed that dogs can get sun burns too.
“Their noses are not protected by fur and if overexposed to the sun, can burn,” the release reads. “Dogs with little undercoat and/ or light or short hair can also get sun burn on their skin. These animals need shade and protection from the sun and heat.”
Of course with the summer, the public should also keep holiday safety in mind as the Fourth of July approaches. During this holiday HSOY also urges the public to keep their pets indoors if possible as the loud noises can scare animals.
HSOY offers the following tips to protect pets on Independence Day:
• Resist the urge to take your pet to fireworks displays.
• Keep your pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you’ve removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him company while you’re attending Fourth of July picnics, parades and other celebrations.
• Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets that normally wouldn’t leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.
• If you plan to go away for the holiday weekend, read HSOY’s information on Caring for Pets When You Travel.
• Do not leave your pet in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects — even death — in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen.
• If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.
• Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly.
• Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners*
*Posting found pets on social media is also suggested, but lacks the reach and services the Humane Society provides for lost animals. Not everyone has social media and not everyone follows lost pet pages. To ensure the best outcome for lost pets, the Humane Society of Yuma has the resources and reach to reunite pets with their families.
Additionally, HSOY is encouraging pet owners to ensure that microchip and licensing information for their pets are accurate. For those pets that are not licensed and/or microchipped, HSOY is offering a Bring Me Home Bundle that includes a microchip, a basic collar and custom ID tag for $20 (normal price is $40).
“We hope that getting the word out early this summer will avoid pets coming into the shelter,” Lana Shapiro, Director of Development, said in a statement. “If you do find a lost pet, the best place to take it is the Humane Society of Yuma. We are the only animal shelter in Yuma County and we are the first place people look when they are missing a pet.”
More information on pet care can be found at www. hsoyuma.com.
The HSOY shelter is located at 4050 S. Avenue 4 1/2 E and can be reached by calling (928) 782-1621.