Author: Shae

Safety concerns increase with the temperatures as more pets spend time outdoors during the summer months. The extreme heat poses dangers for people and pets alike. Pet owners should minimize outside exposure for their pets during the day to prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke. If you notice signs or symptoms of heat-related illness in your pet, take them to your veterinarian immediately. Heatstroke can be fatal if not treated promptly. 

Utah Humane shares the following hot weather and summer safety concerns with pet owners:

• Pets should have access to fresh, cool water at all times.
• Pets should have access to adequate shelter that reduces their temperature (some dog houses can cause an increase in inside temperature).
• Reduce outdoor activity during extreme temperatures. Walk or exercise your dog in the early morning and evening.
• Place the back of your hand on the asphalt for 10 seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
• Provide pet-safe frozen treats to help cool your pet internally.
• Ensure that your pet wears a collar with an ID tag at all times. Microchip your pet and keep owner contact information current.
• Keep your pet current on vaccinations and regular vet health checks.
• Prevent your pet from falling out of open windows and do not leave them on balconies or high patios unobserved.
• Some dog breeds have a double fur coat that provides insulation and should not be shaved. 
• Use pet-safe sunscreen and bug repellent.
• Check your pet for ticks, Foxtails, and grass seed awns after outdoor activity.
• Rodenticides and lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful to pets if ingested. Keep citronella candles, tiki torch products, and insect coils of our pets’ reach. 
• Brachycephalic (short-nosed, flat-faced) pet breeds such as Boxers, Bulldogs, Pugs, Pekingese, Boston terriers, and Persian cats, as well as young, elderly, ill, or overweight pets, are at a higher risk of overheating and should be kept in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
• Do not leave pets unsupervised around water—not all pets are good swimmers. Make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your pet off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from the fur. Keep your pet from drinking the swimming pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals.

We can’t forget to emphasize the importance of never leaving your pet unattended in a vehicle during the warm temperatures! Pets are at risk in hot weather, especially when temperatures change quickly, and the animal can not regulate their body temperature fast enough. The temperature inside a car may increase 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 minutes in some situations, and a dog can’t cool down or sweat the way a person does. 

Research shows that rolling windows down or parking in the shade does not substantially impact the inside temperature and resultant risk of overheating—a car becomes a greenhouse even on a cloudy day. 

Leaving a vehicle running with the air conditioning turned on also poses risks, including but not limited to: the vehicle accidentally being knocked out of gear by a pet or child, increased pollution, and breaking of an anti-idle ordinance in some cities, and potential engine failure.

Know the symptoms of overheating in pets, which include:

• Excessive panting or difficulty breathing.
• Increased heart and respiratory rate.
• Drooling.
• Mild weakness, stupor, or even collapse. 
• Seizures.
• Bloody diarrhea and vomit.
• An elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.

Each year, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) compiles its data from the calls they receive about pets exposed to toxins and releases the Top 10 categories of potential poisons. APCC is available to support veterinarians treating pets for suspected poisonings and can be reached on their 24-hour hotline (888) 426-4435.

Be sure to keep these items out of your pets’ reach.

Medications—Over-the-Counter (OTC) and Human Prescriptions 

Keep old medications, vitamins, pain relievers (ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen) and prescriptions like antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and cardiac medication away from your pets. 

Plants and Garden Products  

Many household plants can be toxic to pets, like lilies, tulips, and Amaryllis. Read the ASPCA list of dangerous plants to avoid. Keep garden products out of reach.

Household Toxicants  

Home-improvement toxicants like paint and spackle.

Rodenticide and Insecticides 

Rat/mouse poison and insecticide should be kept out of reach.

Veterinary Products  

Chewable medications (pain medications, incontinence medications, calming treats) are dangerous when not given as directed.

Human Food

Read more about foods that should not be given to your pets. Protein and snack bars, grapes/raisins, xylitol, onion, garlic, and chocolate can be very dangerous. 

One of our favorite sayings here at the Humane Society of Utah is, “In a perfect world, every pet would have a home, and every home would have a pet.” What does that mean when not every person has a home? People experiencing homelessness have the same attachment to their pets as anyone else, and that attachment is even more important when so many other connections are disrupted. 

Pets suffer the same distress when parted from the caregivers they know and love. The idea that people and their pets should be separated when they lose their housing and each funneled into separate human and animal shelters is outdated, and new resources to keep people and their pets together are emerging. 

Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness in Utah

Locally, many of our Homeless Resource Centers allow residents to keep pets with them during their stay at the center. Deciding to remain unsheltered to avoid being separated from your pets is unfortunately all too common, even in the Utah climate. Salt Lake City’s newer centers have pet resource rooms that stock pet food and supplies and even a grooming tub.  

Street Dawg Crew is a Salt Lake County-based volunteer organization that takes its mission to the streets to provide much-needed supplies to pets and their people. They bring food, coats, and other supplies directly to pets in weekly events, and host annual free pet vaccination clinics in local parks. Secret Perkins, Vice President of SDC, said, “For most people experiencing homelessness, their pet(s) are all they have to keep them going. Pets give them a sense of responsibility.” 

Project Homeless Connect, a national nonprofit organization providing services to the homeless population, includes services to their pets. Karen Akerlof, a volunteer organizer for PHC Salt Lake City, said, “The research shows that animals can help reduce loneliness, lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and provide social support. Plus, animals love unconditionally. I can’t think of a group of people that would need this more than those experiencing homelessness.” Project Homeless Connect supports people keeping their animals, especially if they are experiencing homelessness. “We are pleased to be able to partner with The Humane Society of Utah and others to provide immunizations, check-ups, food, and other essentials to help these pets stay well and remain with their people,” said Akerlof. “These relationships are so important. As a dog owner, I know my life and well-being, and that of my family is benefited by having him in our lives.” 

Salt Lake City-based nonprofit Ruff Haven was incorporated last year to provide temporary housing for pets. Ruff Haven Executive Director and Co-Founder Kristina Pulsipher said, “We serve many people experiencing housing insecurity. Some of our clients may be individuals who have lost their jobs and temporarily don’t have stable housing, or they may be people who are unsheltered and have experienced long-term homelessness. Income, house size, and credit scores don’t determine the love people have for their pets. Our clients’ pets provide them unconditional love, emotional support, safety and protection, and companionship, just like for anyone else. These animals are well-loved and cared for, and with a little support and some resources, they can live very happy, healthy lives with their people. COVID has taught us anyone can find themselves facing a hardship.” 

As an animal welfare organization, The Humane Society of Utah views this challenging issue from the perspective of what is in the best interest of the animal. According to Timna Fischbein, DVM, Utah Humane Society shelter veterinarian, “Animals get the same benefits from the human-animal bond that humans do in terms of emotional and physical health, and they can suffer the same consequences if that bond is broken.” This is why we advocate maintaining the relationship for both animals and their humans. If we can temporarily provide help for pets’ physical needs so their owners can continue to provide for their pet’s emotional needs, everyone is better off.  

The Utah Humane Society is part of a growing movement in national animal welfare to first ask, “What can we do to help you keep your pet?” before intaking the animal into the shelter.  We encourage our members to get involved wherever they can, including education about homeless people and pets, offering your support to those you may know who need help, and getting involved with local and national organizations working to keep animals and people together.

Early every spring, our phones start ringing off the hook with calls from concerned citizens wondering what they should do with the kittens they found outdoors.

What is “Kitten Season”?
After the dark, cold winter, we excitedly anticipate the warmer Spring weather and its delightful scent of blossoms and grass. However, ask any animal welfare volunteer or employee what Spring season means to them, and they may respond with a term describing the growth of something other than flowers. 

“Kitten Season” refers to the period when litters of kittens are born, generally beginning with the warmer weather and potentially lasting until the end of the year. Each year, thousands of kittens are brought to shelters and rescue groups across the state! While newborn kittens are adorable and it can be tempting to pick up small kittens you might find outside, these fragile babies do best with their mother raising them, and it can be a deadly mistake to take kittens away prematurely.

What to do if you find kittens outdoors:

Are the kittens clean and quiet or sleeping?

If yes, a mom is likely caring for them, and you should leave them alone.

• The mom may be out searching for food or in the process of moving them to a different location.
• The mom may not return if she senses a human near her nest.
• Once kittens are weaned, around 4-6 weeks of age, contact your local animal control services to ask about trapping mom and her kittens to all be spayed/neutered.
• Kittens can have surgery once they are two months old and weigh at least two pounds.
• A mom cat can become pregnant even while still nursing!

If you are unsure if the mom is around, here is a trick. Create a large circle around the area with flour and leave. Return after a couple of hours to check for paw prints in the flour and reassess the kittens’ condition. If you determine that the mom is caring for her kittens and the area is safe, you may provide shelter and regular food for the mom, but keep the food at a distance from the nest. The mother may not accept your shelter if food is nearby because she might fear it will attract other unwelcome cats to her location. 

Are the kittens dirty, crying and cold?

Neonatal kittens are more at risk of hypothermia than they are of starvation. It is safer to wait and see if a mom returns in warmer weather than in colder temperatures.

• If you determine that they appear neglected, hungry or in immediate danger, it is important to take action fast.
• Are you prepared to bottle feed and care for them until they are old enough to be spayed/neutered and adopted? If so, contact our Foster Care Department for information and resources.
• Otherwise, place the kittens in a box with a blanket, preferably with a low-heat heating pad under the blanket, and take them to your local municipal animal control shelter.

Become a Foster Parent

HSU receives kittens with and without their mom nearly every day during Kitten Season. We are usually in need of dependable foster care volunteers willing to open up their homes to help with precious litters of bottle-feeding orphans and other kittens who still have their mom.  Are you willing to bottle feed, wean, socialize and provide medical care to ensure each kitten can find a home of his or her own? If you said yes, then you can become a life-saver. Click to read more about becoming a Foster Volunteer.

We hope this article helps you know what to do when you find kittens. If you have any questions, contact your local municipal animal control shelter.

PDF flow chart from Ally Cat Allies

Pets provide companionship and fun, but for some people, a dog or cat can also trigger sneezing, sniffles, and worse. This may start a search for a “hypoallergenic” pet.

There is a myth that pet allergies are caused by animal hair. 
Information from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology