Summer Pet Safety: What Every El Paso Owner Needs to Know

It's summertime in El Paso & that means family fun in the sun. But it also means that it's hot...VERY hot. Triple digit degree HOT. But it can get very loud too thanks to the fireworks and thunderstorms we get during this time.

If you think it's hot for US, think of how hot it is for our pets. So here are some friendly tips on how to protect your dogs from the summer heat & the noise during the summertime.

How to keep your pets safe from the El Paso heat

In an interview on El Paso Town Square, we talked to Vanessa Steele from the Humane Society of El Paso about pet safety; during our interview she gave us some very good advice on what you can do for your pets in the heat to help prevent heat stroke:

• Give them shelter; wooden houses or a dog igloo is a great way to keep them safe from the hot surfaces outside. A canopy works too
• Give them plenty of water they have easy access to at all times, especially if you go outside with them.
• If you have cooling mats or towels, those work very well.
• You can also give them those dog shoes too to protect their paws from direct contact with the ground; the pavement or even hot soil can cause burns in your pets paws.
• The best thing though is to bring them inside your house; having the ac or fans on and giving them water inside is the best way to keep your pets cool from the heat OUTSIDE. The garage is ok too.

Another thing that Vanessa told us was that, some dogs with big fur, like huskies, it's designed to keep them cool but not every dog's fur works the same. That's why it's important to give them shade and water when outside.

Marlene Paulus

How to keep your pets safe from fireworks & thunderstorms in El Paso

The summer months brings us plenty of celebrations, like the 4th of July but also plenty of rain storms too. Something that a few of MY dogs really hate; when they hear thunder out fireworks, they get scared and run and hide inside.

For some ways to keep your dogs safe from loud noises, the El Paso County Animal Welfare Department recommends that people do the following:

• Keep Pets Indoors: Secure your pets inside the home and close curtains to block out flashing lights and reduce anxiety.
• Plan Bathroom Breaks Early: Take pets outside on a leash to relieve themselves before evening hours when fireworks are most common.
• Use Sound to Soothe: Turn on the radio or TV to mask outdoor noises and create a calming environment.
• Update Identification: Make sure your pet is microchipped and that your contact
  information is current in the registry.
• Secure Collars and Tags: Ensure pets always wear a well-fitted (not tight) collar WITH an ID tag.
• Inspect Outdoor Areas: Double-check fencing and gates to make sure pets cannot escape if frightened.

If you see any lost animals, or if YOUR pet is lost, contact the El Paso Animal Services on their website.

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