HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI
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  • Home
  • Adopt
    • Dog Adoptions
    • Cat Adoptions
    • View on PetFinder
    • Adoption Applications >
      • Dog Application
      • Cat Application
    • Adoption Fees
    • Adoption Survey
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Sign Up
    • Volunteer FAQs
    • Junior Volunteer Opportunities
    • Group Volunteering
    • Volunteer Login
  • Foster
    • Foster Sign Up
    • Foster FAQs
    • Foster Features
  • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Amazon Wish List
    • Emergency Medical Fund
    • Planned Giving
    • Kennel Sponsorships
    • "I'm Pet Friendly" License Plates
    • Shop Doobert
    • Donor Bill of Rights
  • Events
    • Low-Cost Vaccination and Microchip Clinic
    • Putting For Strays
    • Scramble Fore Strays
    • Lucky Paws Gala
    • Event Request Form
  • Resources
    • Before Giving Up Your Pet
    • Bringing your new rescue pet home
    • Severe Weather Safety Tips
    • Declawing Your Cat
    • Checking & Removing Ticks
    • I Found Kittens
  • Services
    • Giving Up a Pet / Intake Request Form
    • Spay and Neuter / Appointment Request Form
    • Flea & Tick Prevention
    • Friday Walk-in Microchip Clinic
    • Cooper Clinic >
      • Meet our Veterinarian
    • Dog Training >
      • Basics Class
      • Tricks Class
      • Meet Our Trainer
    • Report a Lost or Found Pet >
      • Lost Pet Listings
      • Found Pet Listings
  • About Us
    • Contact
    • Email Sign Up
    • Shelter Tour
    • In the Media >
      • The Paw Print Newsletter
    • Employment Opportunities >
      • Employment Application
    • Financials
    • Whistleblower Policy

Take Extra Precautions to Keep Your Pets Safe in the Heat!

Limit outside time: Asphalt gets hot FAST! Place your hand on the pavement for 10 seconds. If it’s too hot to keep your hand on, it’s too hot for your pets to walk on. You don’t want to burn their paws! When the weather is hot, limit the amount of activity you and your pets do outside. Shortening the time they are exercising and doing it early in the morning or late in the evening is the best way to help prevent overheating.

Beware of hot cars: NEVER leave your pet alone in a vehicle, as it can be deadly in the heat. Leaving your furry friend in a hot car, even just for 10 minutes, can cause their organs to shut down. In 85 degree weather, a car can hit 100 degrees in minutes.

Know the symptoms of overheating in pets: Extreme temperatures can cause overheating. Some signs of overheating include heavy panting or difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, seizures, and collapse. Some breeds of dogs—like Boxers, Pugs, and other dogs and cats with short muzzles—will have a much harder time breathing in extreme heat.

Hydration and shade are key: Always give your pet access to shade when outside, and always give them access to water. They need to stay hydrated, and being in the heat can wear their bodies out. 

Remember that some summer foods and beverages are toxic to pets: Foods like grapes, onions, raisins, and chocolate should be avoided at all costs, and make sure to keep alcoholic beverages away from pets. All of these can be harmful to your furry friends.

Do not leave pets unsupervised by a pool: Not all dogs are good swimmers. When near water, always make sure your pet is leashed or has a proper water floatation device on. Introduce your pets to water gradually.

Keep your pets inside: You can provide enrichment for your pets while staying inside where it's cool. Keep walks limited and short when it's extremely hot outside. Your pets will thank you!

Never shave your dog: Dogs have layers to their coats that help prevent them from overheating and sunburn. Feel free to trim the longer hair, but never leave them bare. Brushing cats more frequently can help prevent problems caused by overheating.

Humane Society of Southwest Missouri

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Contact Us
[email protected]
Ph: (417) 833-2526
Fax: (417) 833-0308
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Business Hours
  • Monday – Friday: 8am – 5pm​

Adoption Center
  • Monday – Saturday: 12 – 6pm​
  • Sunday: 12 – 5pm
Location
3161 W. Norton Road, Springfield, Missouri 65803