July Heats Up with Summer Safety Tips from the San Francisco SPCA
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) June 30, 2014 -- As the Fourth of July holiday quickly approaches, it brings with it hotter temperatures and exciting festivities for the whole family, including our furry friends. While getting some sun and setting off fireworks is a great way to celebrate, the San Francisco SPCA encourages you to keep the following summertime safety precautions in mind.
• Keep cool! One of the most important tips for summertime is keeping your pet cool. Make sure your dog or cat has plenty of water and a shady place to cool off. Also consider that dogs are closer to the ground and don’t wear shoes, so be aware of hot asphalt pavement and your pooches’ sensitive paws. Furthermore, we cannot stress enough that dogs should never be left unattended in a parked car, even with the windows down. Temperatures within a parked car can quickly rise to dangerous levels, causing heat stroke or fatality.
• Fireworks are for people, not pets. While fireworks may be beautiful and exciting, they can be very scary for a pet. Resist the urge to take them to loud, crowded firework displays that often cause stress and anxiety. It's not uncommon for scared animals to run away from the loud sounds of fireworks, causing them to get lost (another reason to always ensure your animal has a tag and microchip). If your pet panics from the noise even while at home, talk to your veterinarian about options for relieving anxiety. Finally, keep in mind that curious pets can suffer severe burns if exposed to lit fireworks, or severe internal problems from ingesting unused fireworks.
• As the weather heats up, watch what your pet eats. Fourth of July fun may include parties and BBQs, but be aware that many of your favorite foods and drinks may be poisonous to your cat or dog. Foods that can cause health problems include chocolate, coffee, avocado, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, and raw meat. Keeping alcoholic beverages, matches, and lighter fluid away from pets is also crucial; if ingested they have the potential to poison pets.
By remembering to stay cool, avoid fireworks, and keep certain substances out of reach, you and your pet pals are on your way to a safer and happier Fourth of July holiday!
About the San Francisco SPCA
The San Francisco SPCA is a community-supported, non-profit animal welfare organization dedicated to saving, protecting and providing immediate care for cats and dogs who are homeless, ill or in need of an advocate. The SF SPCA also works long-term to educate the community, reduce the number of unwanted kittens and puppies through spaying and neutering, and improve the quality of life for animals and their human companions.
Support the San Francisco SPCA by adopting, donating, volunteering and becoming a client of the state-of-the-art SF SPCA Veterinary Hospital at the Leanne B. Roberts Animal Care Center. SF SPCA has San Francisco volunteer opportunities to care for shelter dogs and cats, conduct adoption counseling, assist clients and veterinary staff at the Leanne B. Roberts Animal Care Center, provide foster care, help with the Community Cats Program, and enrich the lives of people in the community through animal-assisted therapy.
For more information about San Francisco pet adoption, call the San Francisco SPCA at (415) 522-3500 or visit sfspca.org
Krista Maloney, San Francisco SPCA, +1 415-522-3507, [email protected]
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