CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Animal Shelter offered many tips for keeping your furry friends healthy at home this summer, with safety in mind.
Shelter Manager Andrea Hudson said it’s important as a shelter to offer safety tips during summer months to strive for common goals in the community to keep pets safe.
“The 4th of July is the busiest time for animal shelters across the United States due to an increase in stray animals,” she said. “If we can minimize the intakes to keep those babies home safe and stress free, we want to absolutely do that. We care about our community.”
Hudson said summer brings on multiple problems for animals, especially due to heat.
“An increased call volume for welfare checks happens during the summer due to lack of proper shelter for summer months and water,” Hudson said. “The animal control officers are great about staying on top of those checks.”
Fireworks and heat safety tips for pet owners:
- Microchip and ID your pets
- Bring your pets inside while fireworks are being used
- Give your pets a safe and secure place
- Allow your pets to exercise early in the day
The ASPCA recommends the following (www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/hot-weather-safety-tips):
- Visit the vet for an early-summer checkup
- Give pets plenty of fresh, clean water
- Know the symptoms of overheating in pets
- Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle
- Know that animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively
- Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool
- Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed
- Feel free to trim longer hair on your dog, but never shave your dog
- Don’t let dogs linger on hot asphalt
- Use caution when using herbicides and insecticides
- Be mindful of what you are planting in your garden.
- Remember that food and drink can pose one of the biggest threats to pets
- Never use fireworks around pets
The public is encouraged to visit the Cullman County Animal Shelter anytime Monday- Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. to see animals available for adoption. The shelter is located at 935 Convent Road in Cullman. It can through its Facebook page, at 256-734-5448 or cullmananimalshelter@co.cullman.al.us.
