Summertime means fun in the sun, especially with your furry, four-legged friends. Unfortunately, the warmer weather poses threats to animals. To ensure a fun and safe summer, the Placer SPCA is asking that all pet parents take note of these summer tips.

One of the easiest ways to make sure your pet stays safe this summer is to leave them at home when running errands. Leaving a pet in the car, even if only for a few minutes, can cause heatstroke. When it is 85 degrees outside, the inside of a car can skyrocket to 125 degrees in a matter of minutes.

“Pets must be left at home rather than left in your car in the heat,” says Leilani Fratis, CEO at Placer SPCA. “Too often, there are stories of pets being left in a hot car for just a short period of time, suffering from heatstroke or death and that just doesn’t need to happen.”

In addition to keeping your pets at home, here are other simple precautions you can take:

• Provide plenty of shade and water for your pet at all times.
• Make sure your pet has an identification tag and microchip (microchips are available at the Placer SPCA’s Companion Animal Care Center for $20 during regular business hours).
• Check with your veterinarian to see if your pet should be taking heartworm medication. Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes and can be fatal in dogs and cats.
• Avoid taking your pets to crowded summer events such as concerts or fairs. The loud noises and crowds, combined with heat, can be stressful and dangerous for most pets.

For more tips on how to keep your pets safe this summer, visit www.placerspca.org/summer. 

Post information courtesy of Placer SPCA.