E-Mail
Print
tool name
closeThe American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has some tips on how to keep your pets safe during the warm days of summer.
• “A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must; add to that a test for heartworm if your dog isn’t on year-round preventive medication.
• “Ask your doctor to recommend a safe, effective flea and tick control program.
• “Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle — hyperthermia can be fatal. “Even with the windows open, a parked automobile can quickly become a furnace. “Parking in the shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day.
• “Always carry a gallon Thermos filled with cold, fresh water when traveling with your pet.
• “The right time for playtime is in the cool of the early morning or evening, but never after a meal or when the weather is humid.
• “Street smarts: When the temperature is very high, don’t let your dog stand on hot asphalt. The dog’s body can heat quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.
• “A day at the beach is a no-no, unless you can guarantee a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water for your companion.
• “Salty dogs should be rinsed after a dip in the ocean.
• “Provide fresh water and plenty of shade for animals kept outdoors; a properly constructed doghouse serves best.
• “Bring your dog or cat inside during the heat of the day to rest in a cool part of the house.
• “Be especially sensitive to older and overweight animals in hot weather.
“Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus, as well as those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
• “When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. “Be alert for coolant or other automotive fluid leaking from your vehicle. Animals are attracted to the sweet taste, and ingesting just a small amount can be fatal.
• “Good grooming can stave off summer skin problems, especially for dogs with heavy coats. “Shaving the hair to a one-inch length — never down to the skin, which robs dogs of protection from the sun — helps prevent overheating. Cats should be brushed often.
• “Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. “Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. “The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.
• “Having a backyard barbecue? Always keep matches, lighter fluid, citronella candles and insect coils out of pets’ reach.
• “Make sure that there are no open, unscreened windows or doors in your home through which animals can fall or jump.
• “Stay alert for signs of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting and drooling and mild weakness, along with an elevated body temperature.” If your dog or cat accidentally ingests any potentially harmful products and you need emergency advice, you can contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.
Kittens for adoption
The Feline Network has cats and kittens available for adoption every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Petco store in the Madonna Plaza Shopping Center in San Luis Obispo.
Cats and kittens are spayed or neutered, tested and vaccinated prior to adoption.
The adoption fee is $60 for one or $80 for two. A free vet examination is included.
The Feline Network of the Central Coast is also offering financial assistance of $45 toward a female cat and $25 toward a male cat, to help people who live in San Luis Obispo and the South County with the cost of spaying and neutering their cats.
For information on adoptions, low-cost spaying and neutering and help with feral cats or to volunteer or donate, call 549-9228 or visit www.felinenetwork.org.
Blessing of the animals
The Rev. Eugenia Gamble will lead a brief blessing of the animals service at 2 p.m. Sunday, followed by a pet show.
There will be contests for cutest puppy or kitten, best tail wagging, pet and owner look-alike, pet talent, best-dressed pet and best in show. Prizes will be awarded. Homemade ice cream will be served after the show with special treats for pets.
The event is at Nipomo Community Presbyterian Church, southeast of the Thompson and Los Berros roads exit of Highway 101 in Nipomo.
For information, call 473-8059.
Clean your pets’ teeth
San Luis Obispo Veterinary Clinic will host Pet Dental Services on June 30 and July 1.
Pet Dental Services is a company that cleans dogs’ and cats’ teeth without using anesthesia. For information call the clinic at 543-4912.
Jennifer VanderSmith is The Tribune’s pet columnist. E-mail her at pettales@thetribunenews.com.
What you should know about comments on SanLuisObispo.com
SanLuisObispo.com is happy to provide a forum for reader interaction, discussion, feedback and reaction to our stories. However, we reserve the right to delete inappropriate comments or ban users who can't play nice. See our full terms of service here.
Here are some rules of the road:
- Keep your comments civil. Don't insult one another or the subjects of our articles. If you think a comment violates our guidelines click the "report abuse" button. Responding to the comment will only encourage bad behavior.
- Don't use profanities, vulgarities or hate speech. This is a general interest news site. Sometimes, there are children present. Don't say anything in a way you wouldn't want your own child to hear.
- Do not attack other users; focus your comments on issues, not individuals.
- Stay on topic. Only post comments relevant to the article at hand. If you want to discuss an issue with a specific user, click on his profile name and leave him a public message.
- Do not copy and paste outside material into the comment box.
- Don't repeat the same comment over and over. We heard you the first time.
- Do not use the commenting system for advertising. That's spam and it isn't allowed.
- Don't use all capital letters. That's akin to yelling and not appreciated by the audience.
You should also know that The Tribune does not screen comments before they are posted. You are more likely to see inappropriate comments before our staff does, so we ask that you click the "report abuse" button to submit those comments for moderator review. You also may notify us via email at webmaster@sanluisobispo.com. Note the headline on which the comment is made and tell us the profile name of the user who made the comment. Remember, comment moderation is subjective. You may find some material objectionable that we won't and vice versa.
If you submit a comment, the username of your account will appear along with it. Users cannot remove their own comments once they have submitted them, but you may ask our staff to retract one of your comments by sending an email to webmaster@sanluisobispo.com. Again, make sure you note the headline on which the comment is made and tell us your profile name.
About comments
Reader comments on SanLuisObispo.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Tribune. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.