Pet tips and resources
Hot weather safety
Animals cannot sweat like humans, and they are vulnerable to overheating quickly, especially when the temperature rises above 80 degrees. Be sure your pets are ready for the summer heat with these safety tips:
- Be sure to provide plenty of fresh, cool water to pets, and shade from the sun.
- Though pets still need exercise during warm weather, take extra care when exercising older dogs, short-nosed dogs, and dogs with thick coats, as they are especially vulnerable to overheating.
- On very hot days, limit walks to early morning or evening hours. Remember that pavement gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws.
- NEVER leave your pet in a car on a hot day. In sunny weather, the temperature inside a car can quickly rise to 120 degrees or more, even with windows left slightly open. Animals left in a hot car, even for just a few minutes, can suffer from heat stroke, brain damage, or death. If you see a pet in distress from the heat, call 9-1-1 or if you live in the RASKC service area call 206-296-7387 (PETS).
RASKC is pleased to share these behavior and wellness resources from nationally recognized animal welfare organizations. You can also find more resources on our Pet Assistance Program page.
DOGS
- Your new dog
- Aggressive behavior
- Barking
- Destructive Chewing
- Crate training
- Dog reactivity
- Fearful behavior
- House training
- Introducing dog to dog
- Loose leash walking
- Preventing jumping
- Resource guarding
- Separation anxiety
- Traveling with pets
- Interacting safely with dogs
- Children and dogs
- Under socialized dogs
- Dog enrichment
CATS
- Your new cat
- Aggression between cats
- Cat aggression towards people
- Destructive scratching
- Fearful behavior in cats
- Indoor vs. outdoor cats
- Introducing cat to cat
- Introducing cats to other pets
- Litter box problems
- Marking behavior
- Overstimulation in cats
- Traveling with pets
- Children and Cats: Important Information for Parents
- Adopting an Under socialized Cat
- Play with your Cat
- Understanding Why your Cat is up at Night
WILDLIFE
RASKC values our animal welfare partner, PAWS, with who we work closely on animal issues related to adoption, rehabilitation and wildlife.
For more information, please visit the PAWS Wildlife Resource Library.
We have partnered with GoodPup to help ensure adoptable dogs have behavioral resources in the future. GoodPup’s app matches you with a certified trainer who will help you through potty training, teaching your dog the essential cues, and avoiding any bad dog behaviors (like biting and chewing). You’ll meet with your trainer once a week. And between sessions, you can text chat with their entire team whenever a question comes up. To get started, click here to receive a FREE session, and 20% Off for Life.
For wellness, holiday, and weather-related pet safety tips, visit our blog Tails from RASKC.
Pet Information Line
206-296-7387 (PETS)
TTY Relay 711