SUMMER CELEBRATIONS

Image Credit: Vet Times (https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/act-now-to-help-dogs-cope-with-fireworks-pet-owners-urged/)

With summer holidays come barbecues, fireworks, and other celebrations! These can include loud noises that easily frighten some pets, such as thunderstorms or fireworks. It is important to keep your pet relaxed during these events by following these tips:

• Keep your pets inside if you know they are likely to get frightened and try to flee.
• Close all windows and doors.
• Exercise your pets beforehand if you know there is going to be an event later that day. This will allow them to expend some energy and be more relaxed during the celebration.
• Try turning on white noise, a fan, or a radio to muffle the sound and keep your pets calm.
• Never set off fireworks around your pets to protect them from potential burns and trauma.
• In the event that your pet gets loose, ensure they are wearing a collar with the most up-to-date contact information and are microchipped. This is the best way to be proactive in reuniting with your pet if someone would find them or bring them to a local shelter.

TICKS AND OTHER INSECTS

Image Credit: Thrive Pet Healthcare (https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/tick-prevention-guide-dogs)

With the heat comes the peak time for ticks and other insects to come out and find animals to latch onto. Dr. Weekes recommends having your pet on a flea and tick preventative. It is also important to have them on a heartworm preventative which is spread through mosquito bites. You should have your pet on these preventatives consistently all year but especially during the summer months. There are many options to choose from, including topical, oral, and collars. Talk with your veterinarian to see the best choice for your pet and their individual needs.

If you plan on spending time with your pup outdoors in wooded or long grass areas, you will want to follow these tips:

• After spending time outdoors, be sure to conduct a thorough check for ticks over your dog’s full body, especially inside the ears and in between the paws where they can hide. If your dog has a dense coat, flip their fur backward with your hand and check their skin this way.
• Ticks can be as small as a pencil tip when they first attach, so having acute eyesight during the tick check is key.
• Give your pup a bath right after a long walk or being outside in wooded areas. Brush them after their bath as well to keep their skin and coat clean. Bathing them and having their fur down can help you spot ticks easier, allowing you to catch one that may have been hiding in their coat.

HEAT

Image Credit: Sarasota Veterinary Center (https://sarasotaveterinarycenter.com/news/hes-heated-how-to-identify-symptoms-of-heatstroke-in-dogs/)

One of the main concerns with summertime is high temperatures and hot surfaces outside. Remember if you would not want to walk barefoot on a surface, your pet would not want to either. Dog and cat paw pads are sensitive to hot temperatures, especially asphalt, concrete, and even sand at the beach. If you plan on being out for the day in the heat, bring fresh, clean water and a container for them to drink out of. Consider taking your pet on walks either early morning or late evening since there will be cooler temperatures and no direct sun.

If you notice any of the following signs of heat stroke, seek emergency medical treatment right away:

• Excessive panting
• Excessive drooling
• Weakness/Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Unsteady gait or strolling
• Diarrhea
• Deep red or purple tongue and/or gums
• Glazed-over eyes

If you notice your dog having any of these symptoms of heat stroke, move them to a cool, shaded area with a fan. Avoid putting them directly into a cold area, such as straight into cold water, since this can be harmful to their body going from one extreme to the other so quickly. Give them small amounts of water at a time and immediately call your veterinarian.

It is important to note that you should never leave your pet unsupervised in a car, especially during the summer months when it is hot, even if you have the windows cracked. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the inside of a car parked in 70-degree weather can easily reach 100 degrees in just 20 minutes. In even warmer weather, idle cars can reach an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit in less than an hour.

Be extra cautious with brachycephalic dogs (pugs, bulldogs, etc.) and cats (for example, Persians) due to them having flat faces and being more susceptible to negative effects from the heat. You will want to have caution with pets that are elderly, overweight, or have heart and lung conditions as well.

Image Credit: SpiritDog (https://spiritdogtraining.com/behavior/english-bulldogs-live-outside/)

SWIMMING

Image Credit: Union Lake Pet Services (https://unionlakepetservices.com/blog/where-can-i-take-my-dog-swimming-safely)

Many breeds of dogs love the water and jump right in whenever they have the chance to swim or fetch toys! With any body of water, whether a stream, river, lake, pool, or ocean, there are dangers to be aware of to protect you and your pet.

Here are Dr. Weekes’ best water safety tips:

• Ocean water is not safe for animals to drink due to the high salt concentration. This can make your pet overheat and dehydrate quicker.
• It is also not ideal for pets to drink from lakes and streams as well since parasites and other bacteria can live in these bodies of water.
• You never want to allow your pet to drink from the pool either since there are harmful chemicals and chlorine used to clean the pool. These can be toxic to animals.
• Never leave your pet unsupervised in or around a swimming pool. With this in mind, not every dog can swim, so be cautious if your dog would accidentally fall in.
• They do make flotation devices if you are going to take your pet on a boat. We recommend you purchase one for your pet to wear when out on a boat or kayak, just as you would wear one for your own safety to prevent drowning.
• If your dog has floppy ears and they are swimming, thoroughly dry their ears when they are finished to prevent ear infections.
• We recommend you bathe your pet after swimming to remove any bacteria, salt from the beach, or chlorine from the pool.

ALLERGIES

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Just like people, pets can have allergic reactions to certain insects, such as bee stings. If your pet experiences any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, take them to an emergency clinic right away:

• Facial swelling
• Severe lethargy
• Respiratory distress (trouble breathing)

In conclusion, both you and your pet can have fun while staying safe at the same time this summer! If you have any questions about these summer safety tips, we are always here to help. You can also research these topics for more safety tips; some of our favorite organizations who have also published articles are Best Friends Animal Society and the American Kennel Club.

A microchip is an electronic chip about the size of a grain of rice. Microchipping your pet is no more painful than a typical injection they would receive and is done by injecting the microchip under the skin with a hypodermic needle (“Microchipping FAQ,” n.d.). 

Photo Credit: RSPCA Knowledge Base. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/why-is-it-important-to-ensure-my-pet-is-microchipped/

Microchipping pets and maintaining up-to-date information on the microchip should be a top priority for pet owners since it is one of the most reliable ways to ensure that a pet is reunited with an owner if it were to become a stray. Dr. Natalie Weekes, York County SPCA Shelter Medical Director, underscored the importance of microchipping pets as this benefits the community as well as the shelter. She remarks that any local animal shelters or animal hospitals have microchip scanners, as well as many police, animal control officers, and dog wardens. Stray microchipped animals can be scanned by these and returned to their families before even coming to the shelter. 

“Unfortunately, the vast majority of strays we have come into the shelter are not microchipped,” Dr. Weekes said. “Without a microchip, we are unable to reunite the pet. A lot of times the collars with tags will fall off when an animal is running loose.” Dr. Weekes encourages pet owners to take advantage of one of the many affordable microchip clinics that pop up across the country or to speak to their regular veterinarian about microchipping their pet. 

A local girl scout troop actually reached out to our Volunteer Coordinator, Alyson Malay, wanting to partner with our shelter for their Silver Award project. The Silver Award is the highest award that a Cadette can earn. Their project theme this year is sustainability which directly aligns with our strategic plan for the next three years. Now that we have reached a 90% or better save rate the past two years, our next goal is to sustain this milestone for every year to come. A 90% or better save rate means we are saving every animal that can be saved, providing them with live outcomes – one of which is reuniting a lost pet with their owner. 

Girl Scout Troop 20813 at their table during our May dog adoption event.

Girl Scout Troop 20813 aspired to give back to the animals in our community in a sustainable way. For their project, they are raising money to distribute “Paw Packs” to York County police departments that will help them identify and return stray animals to their families faster. These “Paw Packs” will contain a drawstring bag, a leash, a collapsible water bowl, and a microchip scanner.  

The Paw Pack brochures the Girl Scouts created and designed themselves to distribute to attendees.

Currently, there are a limited number of accessible places that have microchip scanners, such as local pet stores (PetSmart & Petco), veterinary offices, and animal shelters (like us). By distributing microchip scanners to local York County police departments, community members will have easy access to bring a stray animal to one of these locations for a police officer to scan for a microchip. This way, the animal may never have to come to the shelter and swiftly be returned to their owner. 

They also made dog toys out of T-shirts to give to new adopters, further displaying ways they are being sustainable!

If you would like to donate to support Girl Scout Troop 20813 in their Silver Award project, you can do so through the following platforms: 

Venmo: @beccathiec1980 

Cashapp: @BeccaT1980 

PayPal: @beccathiec1980 

Thank you for your continual support in our mission to save animals in York County. Help your pet by getting them microchipped so if they were to get lost, you can have peace of mind they can be traced back to you and returned. 

References:

Reuniting With A Lost Pet: The Value Of Microchipping – Whippany, New Jersey. (n.d.). Holisticpetcarenj.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024, from https://holisticpetcarenj.com/blog/reuniting-with-a-lost-pet-the-value-of-microchipping/#:~:text=A%20survey%20conducted%20by%20the  

Microchipping FAQ. (n.d.). American Veterinary Medical Association. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/microchips-reunite-pets-families/microchipping-faq 

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Pet Assure

https://www.petassure.com/maxscorner/the-science-behind-pet-microchipping

1. Prevent Dry and Itchy Skin

• Keep a towel by the door and always dry your pet when they come in from the outside.
• Bathe as little as possible so your pet maintains their coat’s natural oils, and when you do bathe, use a moisturizing shampoo or rinse.
• Talk to your vet about a special shampoo or treatment for irritated skin.

2. Safeguard Pets from Chemicals

• Use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible.
• Clean any spills from your vehicle thoroughly – antifreeze is fatally poisonous for dogs and cats.

3. Keep Pets Warm and Cozy

• Never shave your pet down to their skin in the winter as their coat provides much-needed warmth.
• If your dog is long-haired, trim their fur to prevent clinging ice or snow clumps, and for shorter-haired pets, cozy them into a jacket or sweater.
• It’s okay to feed pets a little extra in the winter as colder temperatures cause their bodies to burn energy faster.
• Keep their beds away from drafty areas and, if the floor is cold, make sure they have a place to sleep off the floor.

4. Protect those Paws

• Before going outside, massage petroleum jelly or another paw protectant into paw pads.
• Booties provide extra warmth as well as extra protection from salt or ice becoming lodged between bare toes.
• After walks, wash and dry your pet’s paws and stomach to remove ice, salt, and chemicals.

COMMUNITY CATS

1. Build or Buy a Shelter

• While many outdoor cats can find shelter on their own, it is very helpful to provide a warm, dry shelter where they can secure protection from harsh elements. You can always buy a heated cat shelter on Amazon, or you can build one yourself. Take a waterproof foam cooler, drill a tiny hole in one of the bottom corners, and cut a small opening in the side for the doorway. Line the cooler with a thick layer of straw and place the lid on the cooler. (Be sure to use straw, which will insulate the shelter and repel moisture, and not hay, which will become cold, soggy, and can grow mold quickly.) Place the shelter outside and raised off the ground with wood boards. Also be sure to angle the shelter on a slight slant so any water that comes inside can drain out through the hole you drilled and so that snow cannot pile on top of the shelter. You can find instructions and tips for creating a community cat shelter online through the ASPCA or Alley Cat Allies! 

2. Offer Plenty of Food and Water

• All animals, especially those who live outdoors, need extra food and water during the winter months to maintain their bodies’ energy and stay warm and hydrated. Wet food is great because it requires less energy from the cat to digest, but it should be served out of plastic containers to decrease the chance of freezing.
• To keep food and water from freezing, use bowls that are deep rather than wide, place them in the sun, spray insulation on the underside of dishes, use heated bowls, or create a feeding station just as you would create a shelter.

3. Keep Up with TNR

• Most kittens are born in late winter and early spring, and continuing TNR efforts over the winter is the best way to prevent these litters. To accommodate for winter trapping, insulate your traps, bait cats with oil-based food, and be sure the holding area is warm and dry, both pre- and post-surgery.
• Do not leave traps unattended, and do not trap if dangerous weather is in the forecast.

YOUR HOME SHOULD BE PET-WORTHY

As pet owners, we naturally want to pick the best and most suitable home for our pets. And since you know them best, you’ll also know what suits their fancy.

• If you own large dogs, then the size of the property will be a factor when looking for a home to accommodate your pet.
• If you have a large breed dog, then the ideal size for your yard should be around 13 by 9 feet, decreasing with the smaller the breed.
• You’ll want to make sure that the yard is secure and properly fenced for your pet’s safety.

TRY TO MINIMIZE BOTH YOUR STRESS LEVELS

As exciting as moving can be, it can also be stressful because of the various unknowns that come with moving to a new place.

• Reduce your stress levels by doing activities you enjoy. Your pet is sure to notice the positive change in your personality and will be calmer as a result.
• Make sure your pet has lots of fun in the meantime. Puzzles, chew toys, balls, tugging toys, and Frisbees should help to keep them happy and fit.
• Daily walks are a must, so try to run errands with your pet whenever possible. Also, look up pet-friendly parks online so your pet can enjoy playtime to the maximum.
• Some dogs require more exercise than others. If you don’t know your dog’s pedigree, these days it’s easier than ever to find out more about their heritage so that you can plan accordingly.
• Pay a visit to the veterinarian if you feel like your pet is not coping. They may be able to provide you with calming medication that will help to ease your dog’s anxiety. Herbal remedies may also help if you’re looking for a natural calming solution. Canine enrichment activities can be a method to stimulate the mind of your pup and reduce stress.

TRY TO KEEP EVERYTHING AS NORMAL AS POSSIBLE

Your dog is more likely to settle into a new routine if you ensure the move is gradual.

• If your dog is used to a certain routine, try to stick with the schedule they’re used to. DogSync is an excellent app to keep on top of this. DogSync creates a group feed where family members can add time-stamped completed tasks, such as a morning feeding or afternoon walk. You can also send task requests to family members in case you are away and need to remind someone to care for your pet.
• Spend as much quality time with them so they feel more secure throughout the process.
• If work and moving have become too demanding of your time, then delegate where possible. Working from home may also be an option, as you’ll be able to skip the commute to spend extra time with your pet.

Moving can be stressful for us, which means it can be just as stressful for our pets. However, moving with your pet can be a lot easier if you plan carefully and remember these calming tips.

If you would like to read more of Cindy’s articles, be sure to visit her blog at http://ourdogfriends.org/.

Image Source: Photo by Samson Katt: https://www.pexels.com/photo/smiling-african-american-lady-cuddling-with-dog-in-living-room-5256179/.

Do not be surprised if I hide somewhere safe and quiet. In fact, you can help me by providing that kind of place. It could be a crate or a comfy dog bed in a cozy corner. Do not worry that a crate is a bad thing for a shelter dog. A place all to myself will give me time to get used to the smells, surroundings, and my new family members. Do not be surprised if I sleep a lot in the first few days. If you have other pets, please separate us for at least the first day and then introduce us gradually. 

When you first bring me home, please keep things as calm and quiet as you can. While you may want to cuddle with me because I am so adorable, I need time to get used to my new family members. If there are children in my new home, please teach them how to treat me, too. One day, I will likely want to run, play, and cuddle with them, but not at first. I may sit quietly as far away as possible from everyone because I need time and space to figure this out. Please do not think that I don’t like you.

 I know that you are happy with me and want to show me off to others but let me go at my own pace. Allow me to approach people when I am ready. As hard as it might be to resist holding or petting me, please go slowly and let me show you what kind of attention I can handle. I may just want to sniff your feet or hands. Wait until I am feeling more relaxed to introduce me to others, and then only one or two people at a time. The first weeks at home are not the time to take me to pet stores or events with lots of people.

Even if I once knew house rules such as going to the bathroom outside, I may have forgotten, or I may be too scared to tell you what I need. Please be patient with me! Start house training me all over again, and I will learn fast. While I am re-learning, keep me on a leash next to you or in a crate when you cannot watch me closely. Take me outside often until I learn the routine. If you keep a consistent schedule for feeding, going outside, playing, etc., that will help me because I will soon learn what to expect.

I am still learning the house rules, so do not get frustrated with me if I bark too much, chew up something you valued, jump on the furniture, or zoom around. I will learn if you teach me boundaries with kindness and praise me when I do the right thing. I can’t be responsible for things I have not been taught.

If after an adjustment period, you have trouble figuring me out, consult a trainer who is knowledgeable about my needs and how to positively improve my behavior, not just how to teach things like sit and stay. It is best if the class is held in a quiet location where I can be comfortable. When my behavior is not appropriate, remember that I am not trying to give you a hard time, I am showing you that I am having a hard time. Please do not be quick to give up on me! I want this new companionship to last forever!

Kari worked as a Certified Veterinary Technician in small animal private practice for 9 years, after which she went on to found and lead the Veterinary Technician Program at YTI Career Institute in 2012. She spent seven years advancing the program as the Director. In 2017, the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association recognized Kari with the Certified Veterinary Technician of the Year Award. Then, in 2019, Kari came to the York County SPCA to take on the critical role of Operations Director.While working at YTI, Kari fostered numerous rabbits for the York County SPCA, one of whom became a foster fail and Kari ended up adopting. That sweet bunny, Graham, is now a happy senior who, despite some medical issues, is living out his golden years with Kari and her family. Her previous pet rabbits include Edgar (adopted from the YCSPCA), Poe (adopted from the Lancaster Humane League), and another YCSPCA alum, Honey Bunny – the first rabbit to steal Kari’s heart and make her fall in love with the small animal species. Check out what this bunny expert has to advise on owning a pet rabbit!

RABBIT CARE 101

by Kari Herchelroth, YCSPCA Operations Director Rabbits are medium to higher maintenance pets. For their diet, rabbits require fresh green, leafy vegetables and Timothy hay daily. Pellets should only be a small part of their diet. They live an average of 7-12 years when they are well cared for, so they are a commitment similar to a dog. They are also very social, so treating them like one of the family and allowing them daily time out of the cage is important.Typically, rabbits do not make great pets for very small children. They are prone to spinal injuries and stress-induced health issues, and they can bite and scratch.  Rabbits are on the delicate side and should be supervised when children are around.While most rabbits do not like to be picked up, they will lay beside you (and sometimes on you!) for pets, scratches and cuddle time. Rabbits enjoy toys, chews, puzzles, exploration, and mental stimulation. Most rabbits do very well with litterbox training too! It is ideal to provide a space where a litterbox can be kept with bedding and Timothy hay to munch on, as well as a space with soft fleece (free from bedding) where they can relax. At the York County SPCA, we adopt out rabbits to indoor homes only. Like all of our animals, every rabbit is sent home already spayed or neutered. Since spaying and neutering rabbits is very high-risk and costly, we are proud to make pet rabbit ownership more accessible by adopting out already spayed or neutered rabbits for only $55.To view the rabbits currently available for adoption at the shelter, please visit our Available Animals page. 

For instance, will your dog be allowed on furniture? If not, teach them how to remain on the floor at the outset. Do you plan to take your dog for walks? If so, teach them how to walk on a loose leash before venturing away from home. Is your dog comfortable with being touched (feet, ears, etc.)? If not, it is very important to begin that training soon after bringing your dog home. After all, your dog will need to be treated by a veterinarian, and perhaps a groomer, throughout their life. They will be much more comfortable if they first have good experiences being handled at home with their family.

One of the most important things dogs should learn is how to come when called. A dog who comes when called is safer and less likely to run away and get into trouble. Another important command is to sit and wait. A dog that sits and waits at the door is less likely to bolt out the door and potentially run into the street.
None of these behaviors will be learned overnight. Most take time, patience, and consistency from all members of the family whenever possible. Working regularly on these skills helps them remember what to do and builds a communication system between the two of you.

Good communication can help to avoid problems because your dog knows what is expected. If a dog does not have structure or boundaries at home, they may become anxious, and that anxiety can lead to unwanted behaviors. By understanding their place in the family, your dog will feel more secure, happy, and confident. Many times, a trained dog is more social and less anxious in public settings. Training brains is a great workout both for their brain and body – a win-win for everyone!
You and your family will benefit from this training, too. If your dog is happy, relaxed and knows what is expected, they will listen to your instructions. Using rewards and play is a great way to bond and have fun with your dog. Training your dog to do tricks is often an enjoyable challenge for both the owner and the animal. And training isn’t just for puppies – adult dogs are never too old to learn, and they enjoy it. Learning is a lifelong skill, not only for people, but also for their dogs, and the bond that is created when you work together with your dog is priceless.

Deb Byloff and Cathy Hivner have been training dogs for two decades and have partnered with the York County SPCA for the last 16 years helping to teach our community to better understand their pups. Both work and train their own dogs at Papillonia Dog Training Academy.