KEEPING OUR FURRY FRIENDS SAFE: SUMMER TIPS FOR DOGS AND CATS

As the summer sun starts to blaze, it's essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of our beloved pets. Especially here in South Florida, dogs and cats are susceptible to heat stroke and other summertime hazards, so it's crucial for pet owners to take proactive measures to ensure their furry companions stay cool and comfortable.

Here’s a list of 9 valuable tips for summer safety:

Preventing Heat Stroke:

1. Adequate Hydration: Always provide fresh, cool water for your pets and consider adding ice cubes to keep it cold.

2. Avoid Midday Heat: Exercise your pets during cooler times, like early mornings or late evenings, and avoid strenuous activities in peak temperatures.

3. Feel the Ground: Before taking your pet on a walk, touch the ground. If it’s too hot for us, it’s too hot for them. Walking on a hot surface can burn their paw pads, so take a walk at a time when it’s a bit cooler out.

4. Shade and Ventilation: Create shady areas in your backyard and ensure proper airflow indoors, especially if leaving your pets at home.

5. Never Leave Pets in a Parked Car: Even with cracked windows, car temperatures can rise dangerously. Leave your pets at home when running errands.

Microchipping for Safety:

6. Permanent Identification: Microchips offer unique identification numbers under your pet's skin, ensuring a swift reunion if they go missing.

7. Veterinary Clinics and Shelters: Most clinics and shelters have microchip scanners, allowing them to contact owners. Update your contact information regularly.

Managing Anxiety:

8. Create a Safe Space: Designate a quiet area in your home where pets can retreat. Provide familiar bedding and toys for comfort.

9. Consult a Veterinarian: Seek professional advice if your pet experiences severe anxiety. Veterinarians can recommend appropriate medications or natural remedies.

By Dr. Jennifer Frione

With these precautions, we can keep our furry companions safe and happy during the summer. By preventing heat stroke through hydration, shade and timing of activities, microchipping for identification and addressing anxiety-related issues, our dogs and cats can enjoy a worry-free season.

▸ Dr. Jennifer Frione is a veterinarian and owner of Lakeside Animal Hospital in Plantation. She earned a BA in biology from Florida Gulf Coast University and obtained her DVM from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Frione completed her clinical year at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Frione has always been passionate about animals and was inspired to become a veterinarian early in life. Visit Dr. Frione at 9601 W. Broward Blvd. Call 954-4748808 or visit lakesideanimal.com to learn more.

By Nick Sortal

There are all kinds of dining and shopping options opening up in Plantation.

Rock ‘n’ Brews, a music-themed restaurant, takes up one of the largest spots at Plantation Walk, with indoor and outdoor seating. Large Bavarian pretzels, Shrimp Sriracha, salads, pasta, burgers, ribs and chicken are on the menu. Go to RockandBrews.com

Padrino’s, a popular Cuban food restaurant, has moved from The Fountains to Market On University. Padrino’s is located at the old Pizza Fusion site, which was the spot of the explosion on July 6, 2019. Go to Padrinos.com.

Vicky Bakery, a popular Cuban bakery, is adding a location in Plantation. It’s at 1773 N. University Drive, inside the Plantation Square Plaza. There are already about 20 Vicky bakeries in South Florida, with another nine in the works. Go to VickyBakery.com. Enson Market , specializing in Asian foods, has opened. It’s located at 7720 Peters Road, the former site for Lucky’s and Whole Foods grocers. The market is one of four nationwide and has foods of all kinds. But to me, the most impressive part of the store is the fish market, which carries such items as fresh shark. Go to Ensonmarket.com.

Friends of the Library Present a Check. The Friends of the Library presented their year-end gift to the library in the amount of $18,766.55. They raised this money through used book tent sales, online book sales, a sale table in the Library at Deicke, a fundraiser with Barnes & Noble, and their annual luncheon. Their meetings will resume in September. Stop by Deicke Auditorium to get an application to join the group.

Florida Building Inspector of the Year: Plantation Building Inspector David Claus has been named the state’s inspector of the year. The Building Officials Association of Florida presented Claus with the award during their annual conference in Orlando.

Proclamations: Jill Fiorentino, a long-time assistant principal at Seminole Middle School, was lauded at the May 24 meeting. Fiorentino, who also taught at Seagull Alternative High School and served as Assistant Principal at Indian Ridge Middle School, is retiring.

She brought in more than $750,000 via partnerships for the schools she served, managed school-wide safety and security programs, coordinated professional development efforts, and administered project-based learning sites.

The City Council approved a proclamation declaring the first Friday in June to be National Gun Awareness Day. Moms Demand Action members filled about two rows of council chambers.

At a Moms Demand Action gathering on June 2, I announced that the city will conduct a gun buy-back event at next year’s Moms Demand Action event. We also will have a police presentation explaining the legalities of Risk Protection Orders (Red Flag Laws). My hope is that a greater knowledge of Red Flag Laws could help someone in a crisis.

Island Space Caribbean Museum: The City Council approved a banquet hall for Island Space Caribbean Museum to enable them to expand their cultural programming offerings. Island Space is currently located at the Broward Mall, on the northeast corner.

Mayor@Plantation.org