SUMMER FUN WITH PETS AND KEEPING COOL

Summer Fun with Pets

AND KEEPING COOL!

By C.A. Ritz

Summer again? The temperatures say “yes” in Nevada reaching between 102-114 degrees in July and August. That’s hot enough to fry eggs on the patio, but only with adult supervision! It’s less warm in the shade if you can find any! However, in cooler moments of the day, there are activities and toys you and your pet may enjoy outside.

PICKING ACTIVITIES WHOA! Scanning the pet store, one can be overwhelmed by the number of indoor/ outdoor pet toys. So many on the shelves! But wait, here’s the revelation. Categories of toys are sorted by more than cat, dog, bird, fish, and fuzzy little mammals! Look carefully … while aisles are labeled by animal types, there are sub-categories indicating breed instincts or personality types. Notice, dog toys can be sorted by breed instincts which seem tied to jobs they do well. Birds and cat toys are sorted by personality/instinct habits. Here are examples:

SUITABLE TOYS

Dogs

Here are a few jobs and corresponding toys…

• Diggers Toys for Destroyers • Hunters Toys for Scent Lovers • Herders Toys for Fetchers • Lovers Toys for Cuddlers • Workers Toys for Tuggers/Chewers

Birds

Behavioral sub-categories, not job-related…

• Chewing Parrots • Shredding Cockatiels • Nesting Finches • Mirrors Parakeets

Cats

Behaviorial/personality categories. Speaking as a cat lover, if jobs were assigned for cats, they might include:

• Looking Down on You Jump and Interact Toys • Window Stalking Hunt and Pounce Toys • Stretching in the Sun Exercise (a little) Toys • Ruling the Home Swat and Chase Toys • Sleeping the Day Away Cuddly Toy

Outside, your pet can stay cool with a tent or mini-swimming pool. On really hot days, dampen a small towel or bandana, place it in your refrigerator, then apply to your dog’s neck briefly since they don’t sweat like humans. When your pet does start to pant, wait by the door, and stare with those big eyes, take them indoors!

For a special treat, provide frozen watermelon cubes. These are healthy, cool, and fun for humans, too. Cats won’t need any since most kitties refuse to go out in the heat! But they may steal the dog’s frozen treats to swat and chase around you floor… not the best indoor toy! Although Bengal cats enjoy water and Maine Coons have been known to swim, most kitties stay indoors. If you find your kitty flustered watching quail, hummingbirds, and cottontails, from the window, consider toys that can be chased, swatted, or pounced upon. You might convince them to play inside if you let them think it was their idea and you won’t have to worry about cooling down your cat. They know when to stop. (Their demeanor oozes “cool” anyway.)

Have a safe and happy summer!

C.A. Ritz ~ Author & Illustrator cynthialeopoldritsko.com

GREATER GOOD CHARITIES JOINS FORCES WITH IHEARTDOGS.COM TO FLY OVER 75 RESCUE CATS VIA GOOD FLIGHTS PROGRAM FROM NEVADA TO PACIFIC NORTHWEST

On Saturday, May 29, Good Flights, a program of Greater Good Charities and iHeartCats flew 77 cats rescued by Hearts Alive Village in Las Vegas to Embrace a Discarded Animal Society in Bellingham, Washington. The cats were fully vetted and health certificated. Embrace a Discarded Animal Society evaluated the cats and gave any follow-up medical care needed before being put up for adoption. It’s expected that all cats and kittens will find new loving homes quickly.

Check out the cute adoption photos on Embrace a Discarded Animal Society’s Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/embracesociety

The program helps Hearts Alive Village make space available for cats and kittens that are at risk in the Las Vegas community. It will be an ongoing monthly event. Through a variety of community support programs Hearts Alive Village is working to keep families together and pets out local shelters.

Greater Good Charities (https://greatergood.org/) is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization that works to amplify the good in the world to improve the health and well-being of people, pets, and the planet.

Good Flights, a program of Greater Good Charities, conducts life-saving airlifts and sup-ports ground transport for at-risk pet populations with a heavy focus on homeless cats, asymptomatic heartworm positive shelter dogs, disaster relief, and bully breeds.

https://iheartcats.com/ is dedicated to healthy cats, happy homes, and empty shelters.

CITY OF LAS VEGAS PASSES ORDINANCE STRENGTHENING THEIR ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS

On May 5, 2021 – The City of Las Vegas passed the ordinance to strengthen their animal cruelty laws to give broader protection for pets in hot weather. A summary of the changes:

Cooling devices when the temperature is expected to exceed 105 degrees (misters, swamp coolers, or air conditioners)

No animal is tethered, tied, or restrained for more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period

No animal can be tethered during a National Weather Service heat advisory

If convicted of animal cruelty a person can be prohibited from owning another animal for up to five years or fined up to $1,000.

Animal Control officers will be driving around the city regularly and will respond if they see a distressed animal.

The public, however, is encouraged to call 702-229-6444 to report concerns. In case of an emergency such as a dog in a hot car call 911.

Thank you to Councilman Stavros Anthony for sponsoring the ordinance and to Gina Greisen and Nevada Voters for Animals for helping to make it happen.

www.lasvegasnevada.gov/News/Blog/Detail/animal-cruelty-ordinance www.facebook.com/NevadaVoters4Animals/

HEAT KILLS PETS…EDUCATE, WARN AND ACT

Below are the various Southern Nevada Animal Control Offices. If an animal is already showing heat-related distress or is in an unattended car, call 911.

Clark County Animal Control: 702-455-7710 City of Las Vegas Animal Control: 702-229-6444 North Las Vegas Animal Protection Services: 702-633-9111 Henderson Animal Care and Control: 702-267-4970

LAS VEGAS’ LONGEST ESTABLISHED LEASH TRAINER.