Sterling Animal Control Officer Louis Massa reminds residents that hot weather can be hazardous to pets, and offers the following tips:
• Never leave pets in a vehicle. Even with open windows, the temperature inside a car can exceed150 degrees in minutes.
• If possible, keep pets indoors during excessive heat.
• If keeping a pet outside, make sure it has adequate shelter from the sun and plenty of fresh water at all times.
• Plan outside activities with pets during early morning and evening hours, when temperatures are cooler. Limit outside activity during daytime high heat hours.
• Take extra precautions in hot weather for dogs that are elderly, overweight or snub-nosed, as they tend to have breathing problems in hot and muggy weather.
During hot weather, sidewalks and pavement radiate excessive amounts of heat and can be too hot for the pads of your pet’s paws. If a sidewalk or road is too hot for you to walk barefoot, it’s too hot for your pet. Make sure your pet has access to the coolest part of your home and plenty of cool, fresh water. If you don’t have air conditioning or you turn it off while at work, make sure your pet can get to a cool place, such as the basement. And don’t forget about farm animals and exotic pets. They need to be kept cool, too.
For more helpful links and wildlife tips, visit sterling-ma.gov/animal-control.