The dog days of summer

A reminder that summer is not necessarily
a pet-friendly time of year JOURNAL STAFF With summer quickly approaching and hotter days in front of us, now is a good time to learn how to protect your pets. Here are some ideas to help the summer be a fun and festive one for all.

Protecting Pets from the Heat

•Avoid taking your dog in the car if at all possible – your dog will be happier at home with access to fresh clean water to drink, ample shade and shelter.

•Short muzzled dogs may be more at risk that long muzzled dogs.

•Cracking your car windows a couple of inches does not allow enough ventilation or air circulation to keep your pets cool inside on hot summer days – an 80 degree day can turn your car into an oven quickly and your pet may suffocate.

•The critical stages to be aware of are: dehydration, heatstroke, shock, unconsciousness followed by death.

Fourth of July Celebrations

•Bring your dogs and cats indoors with you if at all possible, turn on the radio or TV to help buffer the outside noise – be there to reassure your nervous pet.

•Firecrackers, rockets, and whistling fireworks – these loud sounds terrify cats and dogs - many bolt and run to get away from the noise. Your pet may become disoriented in unfamiliar surroundings and could be hit by a car or attacked by another animal.

•The shelters and animal control agencies are inundated with calls from frantic pet owners looking for lost pets as well as calls from citizens that find stray dogs and cats running loose in their neighborhood. Go in person to your local animal shelter if your pet is missing. Be sure to check back frequently as it may take a few days or even a week before your pet is found and taken to the local animal shelter.

•License and microchip your pet – it’s the best way to ensure your lost pet will be returned

•Finders of lost licensed pets can access pet owner contact information via phone or the internet to help reunite pets with their owners.

•425-388-3627 Option 2 – enter the Snohomish County license number.

•Microchips provide great backup support in the event the pet license tag is missing but must be read with a microchip scanner. Scanners are located at local animal shelters and veterinary clinics and with animal control officers.

•www.co.snohomish.wa.us – search “pets”

Keep Kids & Dogs Safe

•Dog Bite Season – yes, summer is peak dog bite season for Animal Control agencies.

•Kids are home from school at play and neighborhood dogs run loose with the kids.

•All dogs are capable of biting, given the right circumstances.

•In 2006, Snohomish County Animal Services received 520 complaints of dog bites/attacks, vicious dogs, potentially dangerous and dangerous dogs.

•Dogs need to be on leash when off of the owner’s property and under control.

•4.7 million people or 2% of the national population are bitten by dogs annually according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control).

•914 per day will require emergency room treatment.

•80% of the victims are children.
•Over half of the children will be bitten on the face, lip, nose or check.

•61% of the attacks happen at home or other familiar place.

•77% of the biting dogs belong to the victim’s family or friends.

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