Operation Kindness, Pet Parents Help Fury Friends Beat the Heat

DALLAS - Aug. 17, 2013 - PRLog -- CARROLLTON, TX (August 15, 2013)…It’s August, and the “dog days of summer” are here.  A time when temperatures soar and people escape the heat, spending time in pools, lakes and air conditioning. But they aren’t the only ones that need a break from the summer sun. Operation Kindness (http://www.operationkindness.org/), the oldest and largest no-kill shelter in North Texas, wants to help dogs and cats to beat the heat and stay healthy and cool this summer.

 

“One of the biggest problems we see is people leaving their pets in the car. Even with the windows down, the temperature inside the car goes up 20 degrees in just 10 minutes – so even if it’s 90 degrees outside, it’ll be 110 in the car. The best thing to do is leave your pet at home. If you can’t leave them at home, then leave the AC on,” saysSandi Laird, animal care director at Operation Kindness.

 

While enjoying time with pets outdoors, bring plenty of water for them, adds Julie Goff, development manager for Operation Kindness.“Whether you’re walking, hiking, picnicking, playing Frisbee or whatever else you enjoy outdoors with your pet, be sure to bring enough water for them. If you’re going to need water, they will too. Also, remember to carry something with you that they can drink out of.”

 

Having access to water is important at home too. All animals that spend time outdoors need an adequate, clean water supply and shelter from the sun.

 

“During extreme temperatures, limit the amount of time your dog or cat spends outdoors. When they are outside, make sure they have plenty of water and shelter from the sun. And if you have a pet with white fur or a pink nose, pay extra attention to their shade and their skin. They sunburn more easily than other animals,” Goff explains.

 

Another summer tip from Operation Kindness: Give dogs and cats heartworm, flea and tick preventatives year-round. This is especially important during the summer because fleas, ticks and mosquitoes are active during this time.

“Mosquitoes are especially nasty. Your pets can get heartworms from them. Luckily heartworm preventatives are readily available for dogs. There are a few heartworm preventatives for cats too – like Revolution (https://www.revolution4cats.com/default.aspx)  and Advantage Multi (http://www.bayerdvm.com/show.aspx/productdetail/advantage...),” Laird advises.

 

About Operation Kindness:Founded in 1976, Operation Kindness is the oldest and largest no-kill shelter in North Texas. Its mission is to care for homeless cats and dogs in a no-kill environment until each is adopted into a responsible home and to advocate humane values and behavior. On a daily basis, Operation Kindness cares for more than 275 animals at the shelter, with more than 100 animals in foster homes. Operation Kindness has saved more than 75,000 animals since its inception, and it assists more than 3,000 dogs and cats each year to find loving, permanent homes. Learn more about Operation Kindness by calling 972-418-PAWS or by visiting http://www.operationkindness.org, https://twitter.com/OpKindness or www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-Kindness/30251945822).

 

 

Media Contact:

Jo Trizila

TrizCom Inc.

jo@Trizcom.com

Office: 972-247-1369

 

Cell: 214-232-0078