• The sun is out!  So is the heat and humidity.  Every summer we hear horrendous stories of pets being left in hot cars and perishing.  This is absolutely avoidable and the responsibility of the pet owner to maintain safe conditions for their pet.  The American Veterinary Medical Association provides this chart to illustrate that after 20 minutes in a car, with the temperature outside being 85 degrees, the inside car temperature rises to 114 degrees!  That is dangerous for humans and animals alike.
• Any sort of traveling in the heat can be dangerous so always make sure your pet has cool, clean drinking water and take plenty of rests during long walks.  Their adorable little paw pads can get burned on hot asphalt, ouch!
• Oh no, the apartment is hot too!  Again, make sure your pet has cool, clean drinking water and a reasonable temperature either by air conditioning unit, fan, or open window.​
• If you’re going away on vacation and cannot afford to board your pet, ensure that there are enough supplies to last and have a neighbor check in on them, change cages/litter, and replenish food and water.  In the case of dogs you will need to have someone reliable come and take the dog on walks.
• Know what foods and plants are dangerous or poisonous to your pet.  Chocolate cake left unattended at the BBQ or a new chrysanthemum plant on the balcony may not be as harmless as it seems.
• The kids are out at the park and who can resist petting that adorable puppy also in the park?  May I Pet Your Dog? by Stephanie Calmenson, illustrated by Jan Ormerod, and led by dachshund Harry is an adorable way to teach your child about how to safely approach an unknown dog and how tail wagging and growling are important signs to notice.
• A lost pet makes everyone sad so take precautions to avoid it happening to you, and know what to do if you find someone else’s lost pet.

​Other Great Resources

• NYC Health guide to being a responsible dog owner
• ASPCA Mobile Spay and Neuter Clinic
• Animal Care Centers of NYC operates three large animal care centers and at an admissions center site their experts can help you solve pet problems such as lack of funds to purchase pet food and veterinary care, as well as assistance with landlord disputes over animals.  

There are some wonderful opportunities through New York Public Library this summer for youth to meet animals, gain compassion for them and even help get animals adopted.