The Animal Foundation Offers Safety Tips for Owners During Dog (and Cat) Days of Summer

Summertime brings hotter temperatures, pool parties, and outdoor fun – but for dogs and cats, who have to wear fur coats year-round, it can mean trouble. This summer, The Animal Foundation wants to remind pet parents of some warm-weather safety tips to beat the heat, and keep furry friends cool, happy and safe throughout the season.

“Summer months can be very dangerous for pets,” said Michelle Quigley, Director of Operations at The Animal Foundation. “It’s important to remember that anytime your pet is outside, make sure he or she has protection from heat and sun, and has plenty of fresh cool water.”

Below are five tips for protecting pets from heat stroke this summer:

Don’t leave pets in unattended cars. Even with the windows cracked and the air conditioning on, pets can fatally overheat in cars in as little as 10 minutes. It is also unlawful – pet owners can be charged with a misdemeanor in Las Vegas for leaving pets in unattended cars during “periods of extreme heat.” To report pets locked in cars, contact the 311 non­emergency line.

Bring your pets indoors. Shady outdoor areas are no longer cooling when the temperature gets too high. Bring dogs and cats indoors to give them a place to escape the sun.

Provide plenty of clean, fresh water. Pets can get dehydrated quickly, and always having access to water will help keep them cool.

Walk pets at cooler times of the day. Walk pets during the early morning or late evening, when the sun is least harsh. You can also help avoid burning your pet’s sensitive paw pads by walking them on grass or dirt instead of asphalt, when available.

Know the signs of pet heat stroke. Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting, increased heart and respiratory rate, difficulty breathing, drooling, mild weakness, stupor/fainting, and an elevated body temperature over 104 degrees. Pets may also have seizures, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. Animals with flat faces, like pugs and Persian cats, as well as elderly or overweight pets, are more susceptible to heat stroke.

If a pet shows any signs of heat stroke, owners should move the pet to a cooler area, offer small amounts of water or ice cubes, and take the animal to a veterinarian immediately. The Animal Foundation is not a full­service animal hospital; animals suffering from heat stroke should be brought to a full­service veterinary facility for treatment.

This summer, pet lovers who are looking to adopt a furry friend are invited to visit The Animal Foundation in Las Vegas. The Campus Adoption Center is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.and houses dogs, cats, and other pets. Adoptions start at $25 (prices vary depending on size, age and breed). Click here to view location information for both adoption centers, and click here to search adoptable pets at both locations online.

For more information on pet heat safety, or to view adoptable pets online,

visit animalfoundation.com.

The Animal Foundation is a private, non-profit agency dedicated to making a difference in the lives of animals in the Las Vegas Valley. To promote the humane treatment of animals, The Animal Foundation operates Nevada’s largest open-admission shelter (Lied Animal Shelter), taking in approximately 30,000 lost, unwanted, and abandoned pets every year. Additionally, the Foundation offers adoption services, lost and found services, volunteer and foster opportunities, and low-cost spay and neuter and vaccination clinics. In June 2015, The Animal Foundation announced Mission: Possible 2020, its strategic initiative to save the lives of all healthy and treatable animals that enter their care by the end of the year 2020. To learn more about The Animal Foundation or view adoptable pets online, visitanimalfoundation.com.