Help your pets beat the summer heat!

Where we live when winter is over there pretty much is no spring. You wake up one morning and suddenly your slammed with a sizzling summer heat only the south can show you. The only relief is indoors with the AC cranked on high but if you have four legs you may not be so lucky.With summer temps reaching 100 degrees or more your pets may be in danger and you may not even know it. I spoke with two animal control officers which both of them combined have 35 years of animal control experience.These two are out in the blistering heat every summer saving all kinds of animals from certain death. Thanks to the many people like these two animal control officers many animals have a new life and a new start.

















Some people bring their dogs everywhere. That's great if its done right. For example a parked car with the windows cracked still gets to 130 degrees inside. Just imagine the dog inside that car. The dog will pant to try and stay cool because they can't sweat. Stress will affect the dog and DEATH will soon follow if no human action is taken. The correct way to deal with this is very simple I just wish more people would do it. Get a dog crate and a spare key for the car. This way you can put the dog in the crate and leave the car on along with the AC and at the same time locking the door without locking yourself out because you have the spare key. But why the crate? Just in case the dog jumps around and accidentally puts the car in drive. You can also go the extra mile and get a water bottle for the car that your dog can use as well.Anyone finding a pet in a vehicle should notify their local animal control,humane society,or police department ASAP. If the pet appears to be expiring, more aggressive action may be needed. Pets begin to get heat exhaustion around 110 degrees and can die when temps reach over 120. If a pet has been removed from a vehicle cool ,but not cold, water should be applied to the animals head and chest to cool the brain and the internal organs before damage becomes permanent. Do not allow the animal to drink large quantities of water as this will stress their system, and of course, they will vomit. Treatment by a vet should be sought out ASAP. Some areas may not cite people for leaving a pet in the car unattended,but a lot of areas will and do. The fines can run anywhere from $10 up to $500, depending upon jurisdiction and the circumstances,or if brought into court,the judge's decision. A citation issued for violating county or city ordinances are considered quasi-criminal and as such, can carry a potential for a $1000 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Every State is different and handles these issues differently. For more information contact your local animal control office they will be more than happy to answer your questions.



It's all fun in the backyard until a pet gets sick. Is your backyard ready for the summer heat? Pets kept outside are required by most regulations to be provided a secure,weatherproof shelter, safe drinking water available at all times, and some sort of shade to protect them from direct sunlight. A screened porch would be sufficient as shelter, and the dog house would only be needed if the animal is to be kept in an area without access to the porch for protection. Again fresh water is required at all times for an animal that is outside. Signs that your animal is over heated. The animal will have a very red tongue, and may also be extremely lethargic, or even if the pet has been outside too long the animal may have convulsions and in the very extreme worse case DEATH. The animals body temperature at normal is about 103 degrees, even a degree above that is considered a serious fever for a pet. So have plenty of fresh water and shade for your pet in the back yard. You can set up a hard plastic kiddie pool for the animals to play in when the days get hot. That will be a good cool down spot for any animal.

Summer is also time for fireworks. They are loud and fast. Make sure if you are out walking your pet you have a tight grip on your leash. These loud noises tend to startle animals and it makes them want to run away. Every year pets go missing due to fireworks. Some things to consider to help in the event your pet does go missing. Have pet ID tags made and placed on the animals collar. These tags are inexpensive and easy to replace when worn down. You can have your animal micro-chipped. It costs a little more to have done but it is your pets best chance on finding its way home back to you.

I would like to thank Animal Control Officer of 15 years Stefanie Elderkin of the Kingsland Georgia Police Department and Director of Camden County Animal Control Services Officer MJ Manning of Camden County, Georgia