Animal Care & Control announced it has issued a hot weather alert for animal owners.
Due to current high temperatures and the heat index, Animal Care & Control officials are reminding people to pay extra attention to provisions for their animals during this time. When possible, bring pets into an air-conditioned area of your home, fans are also helpful where air-conditioning is unavailable.
Animals must have a shady, sheltered place to rest and quantities of fresh water must be available at all times in containers that cannot be spilled. Contact a veterinarian to request preventatives for fly bites, fleas and ticks and to update rabies vaccinations.
Pet owners are further cautioned that it is a violation of city ordinance to leave any animal unattended in a vehicle when the conditions, in that vehicle, would constitute a health hazard to the animal.
Any animal that is found by the shelter to be left in conditions that pose an immediate health hazard to the animal will be taken directly to Animal Care & Control for its safety. A written notice will be provided for the owner to claim their pet from the shelter.
Heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, a staggering gait and vomiting are signs that your pet may be suffering from heat stress. Contact a veterinarian immediately.
