Leave pets home on hot days,
not in your vehicle
PET BULLETIN
By Christine Cowett Robinson
It is almost time for our Paws for the Cause Walk. Join us on June 5; registration starts at 9 a.m., and the walk starts at 9:30a.m. There will be fun for all, including a rabies clinic from 10-11 a.m. (Presque Isle Animal Hospital) and a micro-chipping clinic from 1-2 p.m. (Hotham’s Veterinary Services).
This walk is not just for dogs but benefits all animals that we help at the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We don’t just help animals either, we help people, those who can no longer care for their pets due to health reasons, financial reasons or other, and those looking to adopt a pet. We have helped some interesting animals — dogs and cats, rabbits, turtles, lizards, mice, guinea pigs, birds and ferrets, to name just a few. So the money we raise during this walk helps many different species of critters.
Have you noticed dogs being left in cars with the window down ‘just a crack’ or maybe not at all? During this hot time of year, it is best to leave your dogs at home rather than have them suffer in a hot car. Your dog can die from heat exhaustion and cracking the car window just isn’t enough. Even at a moderate 75 degrees, overhead sun on a parked car can quickly push the temperature over 120 degrees — much too hot for pets, even briefly.
Prompt first aid can help prevent the serious effects of heatstroke. The first symptoms of heatstroke are laborious panting, drooling and a bright red tongue and gums. When these symptoms are seen, immerse the dog’s body in cold water and rub its legs with ice. However, cooling the body back to normal is often not sufficient to save its life. Rush your dog to a veterinarian for continued treatment.
It is very important for us all to be involved. If you see a dog suffering in a car on a hot summer day, please call your animal control agent or police department. Someone needs to educate these people as to the dangers of leaving their dogs in a hot car. It is great to want your dog to go everywhere with you, but when it might cost your dog his life, is it really worth it? Also, let me warn you from first-hand experience, you cannot depend 100 percent on air conditioning and leaving your car idling. I went grocery shopping one day, left the car idling as I ran a quick errand. When I returned to the car the inside was like an oven. My air conditioner definitely had not done its job.
Take care of your beloved pets; they ask so little from us but give so much.
If you are looking for a friend for life, please consider adopting your next pet from the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, or visit us online at www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.com.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered and teach your children to be kind to animals.
