Summer Safety for Pets
Summer can be such a fun time for everyone, but it is important to follow a few simple steps to ensure that pets enjoy a safe season as well.
- Never leave your pet in a parked car during warm weather. Even with the windows cracked, just a few minutes can be life-threatening, and costly! In the Sacramento heat, the inside of your car can reach over 120 degrees in a matter of minutes. In addition, under California law, leaving a pet in a hot vehicle can result in a fine of up to $500 and as much as six months in jail.
- Make sure pets always have access to plenty of fresh, cool water and shade during the hot summer months. Limit summer-time exercise to morning and evening hours when it’s cooler, and remember that asphalt can be very hot on pets’ feet.
- Keep pets away from puddles of auto coolant in the garage, driveway, or parking lots. The sweet taste of this poisonous liquid is tempting to animals, but can be fatal.
- Pets and water can equate to disaster. Prevent (or carefully supervise) access to pools and open waterways. Fatigue can set in while swimming, and currents in rivers and other waterways can prove dangerous to canine swimmers.
- Protect your pets from fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Use flea and tick treatments recommended by your veterinarian, and talk with your veterinarian about heartworm (transmitted by mosquitoes) preventative. Heartworm disease can be fatal.
- Leave your furry friend home when you head out to July 4th celebrations and other crowded summer events like concerts and fairs. Loud noises, combined with the heat can be stressful and even dangerous for pets. Secure animals in the house on July 4. Dogs will jump fences or go through windows when frightened. Cats will also try to escape. Pick a quiet room where your pet feels safe. Close the shades and play soothing music or talk radio to help drown out the noise from outside.
- Your pet should always wear an identification tag with your current phone number and address, as well as a current license/rabies tag. A microchip is also important and can be your pet’s ticket home if she loses her collar and tags! Microchips are available at the SPCA for just $20.
- If your pet does stray away from home, it's important place a “lost” ad, post flyers and visit area animal shelters as soon as possible. At each shelter, provide a photo and specific description of your pet. These steps will greatly increase your chances of finding your animal friend! And if you find a lost pet, please take the animal to your nearest animal shelter. Place a "found" ad in your local newspaper and post notices around your neighborhood.
