Protect your pets in the extreme heat. Sadly, there have been multiple national news stories of dogs dying of heat exhaustion/heat stroke.

Vanessa Gray, Director of the Junction City – Geary County Animal Shelter, said to”keep your pets at home” – don’t have them in the heat unnecessarily.

“The best thing to do in this heat is to keep them home, keep them hydrated; if you are going to have them outside [I suggest] five to ten minutes max at a time, and it would be smart to have a pool or something in the shade for them.”

Gray noted that it is also important to be mindful of your pet’s paws on hot surfaces.

“The rule of thumb is – if you put your hand down on the asphalt and it burns your hand, it’s going to be way too hot for them as well with their paw pads; the big thing for me, people need to leave their pets at home in the cool air, if it’s too hot for you it’s definitely too hot for them.”

Even if your dog is very active, Gray strongly advises against long runs in the excessive heat; instead she suggest indoor brian games to stimulate the mind in the same way a walk does.

It is important to know the signs of heat exhaustion/stroke in dogs and cats, which can also be found on the Animal Shelter Facebook page.

In dogs:  excessive or exaggerated panting, lethargy, weakness, drooling, high fever, dark red gums, rapid heart beat, unresponsiveness to commands and surroundings, vomiting, collapse, staring/anxious expression, warm/dry skin.

In cats: open mouth breathing, brick-red or blue-purple gums, lethargic/collapsed/seizures, excessive drooling, history of being left unattended in a hot car or unable to get out of the sun.

“Heat stroke is no joke to deal with – for yourself, or for dogs and cats” said Gray. “Please keep [pets] hydrated; [people] get dehydrated, so do dogs, so do cats.”

Gray also suggests having a sprinkler running while your pets are outside for extended periods (longer than 10 minutes) and to periodically hose them off if possible.