[Volunteer Claudia]

YOUR Humane Society SPCA wants pets to live their safest lives with informed owners.

LET'S TALK HEAT.
The temperature of Florida skyrockets in the summer, and there are many safety precautions to keep your pet hydrated and at a healthy temperature. You wouldn’t survive long in a boiling hot car even with the windows down, and neither will your pet. It’s simple:
DO NOT leave your pet in a car under any circumstances. Even if it’s only 70 degrees outside, the temperature in a car can reach 90 degrees. 85 degrees outside can quickly become 102 –120 degrees – a real dangerous situation! Today it's suppose to be 99 degrees with heat index being 110 degrees, so in the car it could be up around 130 degrees!

Keep your eye on your pets, and get them to your vet should any of the following symptoms of overheating occur:
• Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
• Increased respiratory and/or heart rates
• Drooling
• Mild weakness
• Stupor
• Collapse or seizures
• Vomiting

LET'S TALK WATER SAFETY.
Don’t assume your dog knows how to swim. Not all do. Work with your pooch to teach him about the pool, how to get in and out safely, and provide a sensor which will alert you if they happen to fall in. A float device may also help your pet feel more at ease when learning to swim. And don’t let your dog in the pool area unsupervised. Keep your pet from entering any body of water, such as a pond or a lake. As Florida residents, we all know alligators, venomous snakes and other predators abound in those environments. If you take your pet on a boat, always be sure to have a float device on him (and you)! And should your pet go swimming in a pool or in the ocean under your watchful eye, be sure to rinse them off afterwards to get rid of the chlorine or salt.

HAVE WE TALKED ABOUT THUNDERSTORMS YET?
If you can hear thunder, your pet has already heard it loud and clear. It’s best to hightail it home and wait until the storm passes. You should always walk your pooch on a leash (it’s the law), but thunderstorms can cause your pet to panic and you may lose your grip as he pulls and flails in fear, and he may run off despite your pleas to come back to you.

TAKING YOUR PET FOR A WALK is a fun and bonding experience for both of you. But it can also be dangerous in the heat of the summer. Their paw pads can be burnt from the roads they walk on. They can get sunburned, dehydrated, or over-exerted in hot, humid conditions, and can suffer heat stress or stroke even while being left waiting in a golf cart. LEAVE THEM HOME! Make your walks short and during cooler hours of the day or evening. Keep in mind your pet may also be easy prey to animals in the sultry evenings, so carry a flashlight and make loud noises to frighten away any potential marauders.

SUMMER SOCIALS may be enjoyable for your pet, but remember alcohol can be poisonous, and people food can cause illness. Instead, provide your guests with dog treats to give to your pup. And ask them to play with your dog away from the flames of the grill.

PREVENTION IS THE KEY. Always have your pet on a leash, but do NOT use retractable leashes, as they are one of the greatest reasons for injury to pets. Be sure your pet has an ID tag, and use a harness instead of a collar, especially when transporting a pet in a car or golf cart. Have the nearest pet emergency hospital number already programmed in your phone. Provide your pet with plenty of water and shade while supervising them outside. Don’t over-exercise them in the heat of the day. If it’s too hot outside for you, it’s too hot for your pet. Take him inside where it’s cooler. It’s OK to trim your pet’s fur, but don’t shave them. Their fur protects them from overheating and/or sunburn. Provide a kiddie pool to help your furry friend stay cool when outdoors. Let common sense prevail, and you and your pet will safely enjoy the rest of your summer. Keep cool, keep hydrated, and keep out of harm’s way!

YOUR Humane Society SPCA is a 501(c)3 non-profit, no-kill organization helping animals in need throughout the community as Sumter County’s oldest and largest no-kill shelter. Donations directly help to cover the cost of saving, treating and caring for neglected, abused and abandoned animals. Learn more about us at hsspca.org, 352-793-9117, on Facebook or visit us at 994 CR 529A, in Lake Panasoffkee, FL. Office open: Mon.-Sat. 8am-4:00pm. Kennel Pet Viewing: Mon.-Sat. 9:00am-3:00pm. Visitors are always welcome however, due to COVID-19 concerns, visitors are required to make an appointment to come to the shelter until further notice.