As summer gets into full swing, the ASPCA wants to remind pet parents that our four-legged friends can be harmed by hot weather just like we can: dehydration, heat stroke and sunburn can take a toll on even the healthiest cat or dog. Keep your animal companions happy and safe by taking these simple precautions:
Made in the Shade
Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it's hot. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it's extremely hot.
Know the Warning Signs
Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse, seizures, bloody diarrhea
At the Kearney Area Animal Shelter we understand that your companion animal is family and we want to help you keep him or her safe. Follow these tips to ensure that your companion lives a long and healthy life.
It doesn’t take more than a second – a door left open while you bring in the groceries, a child running through the gate leaving it unlatched, or a neighbor at your door – and your pet is gone.
Some pets don’t get far, others do find their way home, but for the millions of other unidentifiable pets that go missing each year the chances of a happy re-union are not good. Less than a quarter of all lost and abandoned pets that are brought to animal welfare organizations each year are ever re-united with their families. Why? Because the animals are not identifiable, they have lost their collars or tags or, their tattoo is not legible. There is only one truly permanent form of animal identification – microchipping.
Stop in and get your pet microchipped today! It takes only a few minutes and costs just $45.
Prepare a Disaster Plan
Step 1- What could happen?
Identify the natural disasters or emergencies that could occur in your area. We all know that the weather in Nebraska can change in a minute. Tornadoes? Hail? Flooding? Power outages? Knowing what you might be preparing for will help you build your disaster plan.
Step 2-What if...
What if the authorities tell me to stay home?
Create a preparedness kit for your pets and family ahead of time. The kit should include: