Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
S.P.C.A. of Polk County, Texas
TOO MANY PUPPIES AND KITTENS
Every day we work at the office our phone rings with a caller asking for help finding homes for puppies and kittens. Last week, we had at least 5 individuals turn up at our door with crates and boxes of kittens and puppies they wanted us to help find homes for.
Our reality is that our foster homes are full, our office staff take extras home whenever they can, but there are no good options for these innocent babies of unwanted litters unless their human can find a home that needs a new pet.
The only sure way to keep your pets from reproducing is to have them surgically altered, (spaying the female, neutering the male) by a veterinarian. The reproductive drive in young animals is unstoppable by any other means. The dangers of disease, injuries and pack behavior in animals left to run loose and reproduce can harm not only our household pets but human family members.
Having this surgery requires a small investment of money and time but will assure that YOUR cat or dog isn't able to become another unhappy statistic in the battle against too many for everyone to love and care for.
DON'T LEAVE YOUR PET IN THE CAR!
According to information compiled by DFPS from various national sources, if the outside temperature is 75 degrees the temperature inside your car can reach 100 degrees in 10 minutes. On days like we've been having at 100 degrees outside the temperature inside your car can be 140 degrees and reached in just 15 minutes!
PLEASE DON'T LEAVE YOUR PET INSIDE YOUR CAR - NOT EVEN FOR 30 MINUTES!
Every summer many animals suffer a horrible death as a result of a loving family leaving the pet in their auto while they run into the store for "just a few minutes". STOP and think, is it worth the risk?
Even with the windows down, your car is comprised mostely of metal and metal conducts heat. A dog's core body temperature normally is about 102.5 but left in a hot car for just 15 minutes can be enough for an animal's body temperature to climb to deadly levels that will damage the nervous and cardiovascular systems, often leaving the animal comatose, dehydrated and at risk of permanent impairment or death.
Animals are not able to sweat like humans do. Dogs cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paws. If they have only overheated air to breathe, animals can collapse, suffer brain damage and possibly die of heatstroke.
In 2003, a police dog in Texas died after the air-conditioning in the patrol car shut down and began blowing hot air. The air system's compressor kicked off because the engine got too hot. Many cars, including modern models with computerized functions, are prone to the same problem.
On hot days leave your dog at home. You both will be healthy and happy at the end of the day. If you suspect your pet has suffered from heat stroke please see your veterinarian right away.
Signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion include restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, dark tongue, rapid pulse, fever, vomiting, glazed eyes, dizziness, or lack of coordination. You can give the animal water, or place a cool wet towel on the head, neck and chest, however we recommend that you call you veterinarian right away.