Keeping Pets Cool In Port Angeles
(What Pet Owners Need to Know About Hot Weather)

Port Angeles , Washington --- With the lazy days of summer rapidly approaching, the Clallam County Humane Society urges pet owners to be aware that their companion animals will be in dire danger as the temperature rises.

Heat can be miserable for humans, but deadly for pets. Unlike humans, pets do not perspire to cool themselves. Instead, Panting helps to rid their bodies of excess heat, allowing them to maintain their normal body temperature when the temperature is high. Animals cannot effectively cool themselves they may face the possibility of heat stroke and even death.

Pet owners often feel the need to take their pets with them where ever they go. During the summer, that can be especially dangerous for a pet. Here are some ways to ensure your pet stays cool while you enjoy the sun:

• Never leave your animal alone in a vehicle. Even with the windows open, a parked vehicle can instantly become a furnace. In ten minutes the temperature inside a car could reach 160 degrees. Parking in the shade offers little protection because the sun shifts during the day. Best advice is to leave your pet at home even if you are making a quick trip to the store.
• Always provide plenty of shade and clean drinking water for an animal when it is outside. When the temperature is above 80 degrees, the Clallam County Humane Society recommends you bring your pet inside to rest in a cool part of your house and provide cool drinking water.
• The very young, sick, overweight and old animals should never be kept outdoors. These animals already have a delicate immune system and will not be able to withstand extreme temperatures. Also, short-nosed breeds such as English Bulldogs, Shih Tzus and any animals with heart or lung conditions should be kept indoors in a cool environment.
• Keep walks with your dog to a minimum. The dog is much closer to the hot asphalt than you are, causing his body to heat up more rapidly. Paws can also burn since they are not protected by shoes.
• Do not force your animal to exercise in hot weather. Always exercise him or her in the cool of the early morning or evening.
• Always have plenty of cool, clean drinking water available for your pet. When traveling or exercising with your pet, carry a water bottle and take frequent water breaks.
• Sunscreen: Not for just humans anymore. Apply small amounts of sunscreen to any skin-exposed are on your pet if they will be in the sun for any extended amount of time. Pets with light fur are most at risk of sunburn.
• Flea and tick prevention. Check your pet regularly for fleas and ticks because they are more common in the hot weather. Check with your veterinarian for the best type of flea, tick preventative treatment for your pet.

About the Clallam County Humane Society

The Clallam County Humane Society has been helping animals and people on the North Olympic Peninsula for 60 years. We are located at 2105 W. Hwy 101 in Port Angeles , WA . The Society is a private non-profit organization. The animals we shelter are dropped off by owners who no longer can keep them or are picked up as strays by local citizens and animal control officers throughout Clallam County and beyond. Services offered include Adoptions, receiving, lost and found assistance, spay and neuter assistance, animal Licenses, and microchip clinics.

Microchips Are Now Standard At C.C.H.S.
In May of 2001 the Board of Trustees authorized funding to allow each cat or dog adopted from the Society to be microchipped. A microchip is a rice-sized device encoded with a unique and unalterable identification number. The "chip" is implanted just under the skin in the scruff of the neck and is read by a scanner. We hope this added feature will assist in the identification of all pets by other Humane Societies, Animal Control Officers and any group that routinely scans animals for microchips.
As of April 30, 2001, 900,851 companion animals had been enrolled in the American Kennel Club database. Most importantly, 49,014 lost pets have been successfully reunited with their owners in the United States and abroad using this database.

SNAP
Spay Neuter Assistance Program offers low cost and/or free spay and neuters to qualifying persons. Upon application and proof of income the Society pays for and schedules the spay or neuter at the veterinarian of their choice.

Ongoing Education
Upon request the Society will furnish speakers for any group, usually one of our Humane Officers, to address issues of animal care, adoption procedures, animal abuse and cruelty regulations and any other animal related issues that the Society is involved in or has knowledge concerning.

Pet Therapy
With the help of Volunteers the Society provides small animals and carriers for transport to visit rest homes and assisted care facilities so the residents can enjoy the company of a pet for at least a short time.

School Education
The Society has made available upon request, a pet oriented newsletter similar to the "Weekly Reader" copies for each member of the class and a teachers guide are mailed directly to the school at no cost. Prior to the end of the 1998 school year samples were made available to schools and teachers needed to only request the materials and the Society arranges delivery and payment.

Pet Food Bank
Each month the Society has delivered to local Food Banks pet food to assist pet owners who may require assistance. If a pet owner seeks help for their family we assume that their pet also needs nutritional food to stay healthy

Humane Education
The Society recently funded a new Humane Education program. We are seeking volunteers to take this program to the public. The program will include activities in classrooms that are designed to achieve a specific learning goal about animal welfare. The initial programs will be with Kindergarten through fourth grade and demonstrated with proven learning aids and equipment. Most classroom presentations will include a live animal presentation, videos and demonstrations. The program is designed to teach children to respect and be compassionate to animals. Hopefully this positive message will generalize to include their fellow students, teachers, parents and the community. If you are interested in volunteering contact the Shelter at 360-457-8206