Remember to take care of your pets during times of extreme heat

PHOENIX — Triple-digit temperatures have arrived and most likely are here to stay in the Valley of the Sun. As the heat returns, it’s important to remember to take care of our furry friends during the extreme heat days in Arizona. 

The City of Mesa and the Mesa Animal Control are reminding residents to protect their pets from the heat.

RELATED: Here’s where you can find heat relief stations in the Valley

Pets can be affected in several ways, and just like humans, they can be dehydrated. Also, they can burn their skin and paws. And for some breeds, drowning is a risk as well. 

To keep animals safe, the Mesa Animal Control has important reminders:

• Temperatures inside a car can increase by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. If the weather is warm, leave your animals at home when you go to the store or run errands.
• If you have a pool, make sure your dog can swim and knows where the steps are. If your dog cannot exit a pool due to its size, age or medical issues, leave the dog inside when you are gone and unable to watch them around the pool area.

Here are some tips to protect your furry friend from the heat:

• Water evaporates faster in hotter temperatures, so make sure your animals have an adequate supply of water in a plastic bowl while you are away from home.
• Shade and shelter from the heat are just as important as water; make sure your animal has access to adequate shade throughout the day.
• When deciding whether to walk your dog in warmer conditions, think about this: if you are unable to walk without shoes on sidewalks or pavement, neither can they.

During this time of year, there might be more fireworks activity around the Valley. Keep these tips in mind:

• Do not take your pets with you to any outdoor activity where there will be fireworks.
• Leave your pets inside your home with the television or radio on to help cover the noise from fireworks.
• Close the blinds so bright flashing lights do not alarm your pets. Crate your pets if they are used to being in a crate.
• Make sure pets are wearing identification tags, a Maricopa County license tag or have a microchip with current information, so an owner can be contacted if the animal does escape. This includes current licenses for dogs.

And call 911 if there is a life-threatening emergency to an animal, you see an animal locked in a vehicle, or believe an animal is being abused or neglected.

It’s important to know that leaving an animal in a vehicle intentionally, knowingly or recklessly is a class one misdemeanor in Arizona and punishable by up to six months in jail, three years of probation and a $2,500 fine.

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