News release from Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control:
Hot Weather Reminders for Pet Owners!
(May 27, 2016) – With temperatures and family activities on the rise for the Memorial Day weekend, Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control wants to remind pet owners to pay extra attention to provisions for their animals. Animals exposed to high temperatures, high humidity, and inadequate ventilation can become ill or irritable, and may pose a danger to themselves and to people.
- Do not leave any animal in a parked car, even with the windows open!
- When possible, bring pets into an air-conditioned area of your home; fans are helpful where air-conditioning is unavailable.
- For animals outside, provide a shady, sheltered place to rest and quantities of fresh water in containers that cannot be tipped and spilled.
- Be aware of the sun movement through the day if your animal is outside and you are leaving for work. Shade must be available all day as well as proper food, water & shelter.
- Change drinking water often. Dirty water breeds bacteria and attracts flies and mosquitoes. The larvae from mosquitoes can cause heartworm in dogs and cats.
- Take measures to prevent fly bites, fleas, ticks and parvovirus and seek the advice from a veterinarian.
- Schedule walks with your dog during the early morning or late evening, taking special care with older dogs, young puppies, and dogs with short noses.
- Parents are urged not to allow children to exercise a dog while the child is riding a bicycle or skating. The dog may get over heated and children won’t know when to stop.
- Supervise pets. Do not leave them alone in situations where they may come in contact with wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, and coyotes.
- Whenever taking your pet on an outing, never leave your pet inside the car and carry plenty of cool water for the pet to drink and have water that can be used to wet down your dog’s body.
- If an animal is panting excessively, or vomiting, or having difficulty walking in extreme heat, it may be suffering from heat stroke. If you suspect an animal is in trouble, move the animal to a cool place out of the direct sun and use cool water to lower its body temperature. Contact a veterinarian right away.
- Report signs of animal neglect to Animal Care & Control immediately by calling 427-1244 Option 1 or afterhours, holidays and weekends: 449-3000 for officer assistance. Any animal that is found by the shelter to be left in conditions that pose an immediate health hazard to the animal will be taken directly to Animal Care & Control for its safety. An Animal Control Officer will leave a written notice for the owner to claim their pet from the shelter.
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