Loving the Fur Babies on Love Your Pet Day

by Carol Grinage, volunteer contributor
 



Ladybird prefers crosswords.  

In honor of Love your Pet Day, Friday, February 20, we'd like to share with everyone our new partnership with an organization that enables us to give the fur babies in our lives love after a disaster too.

Let's face it. In spite of the fact that they're messy, noisy and sometimes mischievous (see photo evidence), pet owners wouldn't trade their 4-legged friends for anything. But when disasters strike, such as home fires, it's pets that are often left without help. What are people supposed to do when their pets need food? This is where Don’t Forget to Feed Me steps in.

On a daily basis, Don’t Forget to Feed Me is an organization that helps pet owners who cannot provide for their animals to receive food and supplies. But recently, their mission expanded when we teamed up together.

In January, Don’t Forget to Feed Me delivered 500 “Pet Comfort Kits” to the American Red Cross. The kits will be placed in disaster relief trucks. These kits contain a retractable food dish, pet food, leash, squeaky toy, and treats. When Red Cross workers respond to a home fire and the family also includes pets, volunteers will provide a Pet Comfort Kit to the owner. On average, Red Cross teams in DFW help five families every day.

For more than a century, American Red Cross workers have taken care of disaster victims by providing safe shelter, new clothing and groceries. Now, we can do even more. And our response volunteers already report what a big difference the kits make for pet owners, no longer worried about where fido or fluffy's next meal will come from either. On this Love Your Pet Day, we salute pet owners everywhere, and our newest partner, Don't Forget to Feed Me.

Show your Pet Day love by posting a photo of the creature in your life, and if you'd like, you can use hashtag #LoveYourPetDay.

Tweet

The Red Cross Guide to the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards

By Emily Ergas, intern contributor

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time of year again! The Primetime Emmy Awards will take place tonight, August 25th at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles and will air on NBC at 7 PM Central Time. With Seth Meyers hosting, the show is sure to be full of laughs, questionable fashion choices and talent.

Everyone has their opinions on the nominees whether good (yay Game of Thrones!) or bad (what about Orphan Black? The Americans?).  In order to be fully prepared to judge who should win and who should not, we here at the Red Cross have supplied a listing of TV series to sample along with some relevant information each show probably needs to incorporate in its characters' daily lives.

• The Walking Dead – It’s only been nominated for two Emmys this year in Outstanding Special and Visual Effects in a Supporting Role and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series, but this series is a fan favorite without a doubt. With zombies milling about, it’s best to find a nice and fortified shelter in which to live/hide. These guys should get the Red Cross shelter app which provides detailed maps and locations of the nearest shelter.

• Game of Thrones – Another huge fan favorite, it leads the nomination count with 19! It’s obvious to us that characters on this show should become familiar with our pet heat safety tips. Even dragons need some cooling off! And if you think the dragons are just fine in the heat, let’s protect those direwolves, goodness knows their owners aren’t lasting.

• Orange is the New Black – This Netflix original series based on a woman’s experiences in prison has gained fans and critical acclaim alike. It received 12 nominations this year, including the first nomination for a transgender actor. All the women in this series deal with prison life and life after major upheaval which takes a toll on their mental health. We recommend looking at our Disaster Mental Health Safety page to learn how to cope with the aftermath.

• True Detective – Equal parts mysterious and gripping, this HBO series about two detectives on the hunt for a serial murder sees both of its leads nominated in the Best Actor category. While rumors continue about who will be the cast next season, we’d like to strongly suggest any characters on this show pick up a Red Cross survival kit. They should be prepared for whatever awaits.

• House of Cards – The first original online-only web series to receive Emmy nominations follows up with 13 nominations for its second season of political drama. Since these characters’ lives revolve around their work, it’s probably best that their workplace is fully prepared.

• Modern Family – Another Emmys, another round of nominations for this hit classic comedy about a modern family in California. With the arrival of a new baby this past season, we think his brother and cousins should brush up on their babysitter training with our class.

• Breaking Bad – Entering the Guinness World Records this year as the highest rated show of all time, this show about a high school chemistry teacher who turns to a life selling methamphetamine (meth) to provide for his family after his cancer diagnosis, definitely 100% needs to check out our chemical emergency preparedness tips. Also the home fire safety page. Seriously.

There are a few of the big names nominated this year. For the complete list, visit http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners. Tune in on August 25th to see who the winners are! (And if you’re like me, tune in early to check out the fashion as well.)

Good luck to all the nominees from the American Red Cross!

Tweet

Dog Days of Summer: Pet Heat Safety

by Carmen Wright, volunteer contributor

Dear Owner,

Listen, I know you like summer because of outdoor barbecues and swim parties, but don’t forget about me. Now, it’s not that I’m ungrateful for the hamburger patties you “drop” off the grill or the hot dog buns you conveniently leave on the edge of the countertop—thank you for those. But when it gets this hot, don’t forget I’m sporting a full fur coat and bare feet. Here is a quick list of do’s and don’ts to keep your furry four-legged friends happy. 


DON’T…

• leave me in the car—it’s like an oven in there. And if you see one of my fellow furry friends in a car, track down their owner immediately (and give them a good talking to).
• take me on walks when it’s hot outside—remember those bare feet? A nice morning walk or evening stroll will do. 
• leave me outside for more than a few minutes—even with shade, I’m going to get hot pretty quickly. Now if you installed that dog door you’ve been promising…
• ignore me—if you see heavy panting, excessive thirst, uncoordinated behavior, or dizziness, chances are I’m suffering from a heatstroke. If that’s the case, take me inside, put some ice packs on me and give me small amounts of water and ice cubes. 

DO…

• brush me or give my fur a good trim so I’m a little bit cooler in this weather.
• leave me plenty of water and make sure I have shade when I’m outside. A fan is nice, but it’s not going to help me cool down very well. 
• put ice cubes in my water, or better yet, make some peanut butter popsicles! 
• wet my neck, feet, and belly so I can cool down faster. If we do go for a long walk, I wouldn't object to wearing a cooling vest—it’s so much less embarrassing than that bumblebee costume you tried to get me in last year. 
• make a plan for a power outage. 
• download the Pet First Aid App from the American Red Cross. Those guys think of everything. 

Oh!  And do keep dropping those hamburger patties, maybe even one with cheese on it?

Love, 

Your Pet

Tweet

Hot Weather Dictates Extra Attention for Pets

Summer arrived with high temps and humidity, and the mercury is likely to keep rising. As the weather gets warmer, certain dangers for your pets become more prevalent. The American Red Cross has steps pet owners can use to keep family pets safe and healthy this summer.

Summer arrived with high temps and humidity, and the mercury is likely to keep rising. As the weather gets warmer, certain dangers for your pets become more prevalent. The American Red Cross has steps pet owners can use to keep family pets safe and healthy this summer.

The first step is to know what is normal for your pet – their gum color, heart/pulse rate, body temperature and breathing rate - so you can recognize when something is wrong.

Heat stroke is a common problem for pets in the warmer weather, according to Dr. Deborah Mandell, VMD, DACVECC, pet care advisor for the Red Cross. She explained that heat stroke is more common in the early summer because pets are not yet acclimated to the warm weather. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like the boxer or bulldog, are prone to heat stroke. This is also true for any obese pet, a pet with an extremely thick fur coat or any pet with upper respiratory problems such as laryngeal paralysis or collapsing trachea.

“Animals love to play and may not stop playing, even if they are becoming overheated,” said Dr. Mandell, who is also affiliated with the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Some signs your pet may be developing heat stroke include heavy panting, and being unable to calm down, even when lying down. Their gum color may be brick red, their pulse rate may be fast, or they may not be able to get up. If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.

Sunny days seem like great opportunities to take your pet for a fun car ride. Dr. Mandell issued a reminder not to leave your pet in the car, even for a few minutes. “The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees,” she said. “It’s just not a good idea to leave the pet in the car, even with the windows cracked open.”

Pet owners also need to be aware that animals may try to get out of a window or door, which are more likely to be open as the weather warms. And some plants in your garden can be hazardous to animals. For instance, many lilies are very poisonous to cats. Visit the ASPCA Poison Control web site to find out which plants and flowers are poisonous to animals.

Your pet is part of the family and deserves to be cared for and protected. Follow these important steps to help keep your pet at their best:

• Give your pet plenty of exercise. Regular exercise will help your pet feel better and live longer.
• Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh, cool water.
• Get to know a veterinarian and make sure your pet has yearly checkups.
• Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccines, especially rabies.
• Get your pet spayed or neutered.
• Keep dogs on leashes outside – another animal may be too much temptation.
• Know how to perform CPR and provide basic first aid until veterinary care is available.

Animals can’t tell you when they aren’t feeling well. Many hide signs of illness until a problem is very advanced. Knowing what is normal for your pet and being able to recognize changes early, can make a huge difference in treatment success.

Don’t forget to include your pets in emergency action plans as well:

• Emergency action plans for your family should include all of your animals.
• Plan to take your pets with you in an evacuation. If it is not safe for you to stay, it is not safe for them either.
• Most Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Know which friends, relatives, hotels, boarding facilities accept pets in an emergency.
• Assemble a portable kit with emergency supplies for your pets:
• Leashes, harnesses and/or carriers
• Food, drinking water, bowls, manual can opener
• Medications and copies of medical records
• Current photos of your pets and of you with your pets

Additional tips can be found on our Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist. Pet First Aid courses are offered at many Red Cross chapters across the country. The Red Cross has also developed Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid, comprehensive guides with DVDs to help your keep pets healthy and safe. From basic responsibilities, like spaying/neutering and giving medications, to performing CPR and preparing for disasters, these guides offer information pet owners can trust. Contact the American Red Cross-Dallas Chapter to see when classes are available or to purchase guide books. Products can also be purchased online at the Red Cross Store.

Tweet

Dog (and cat) Days of Summer!

What a relief to know we have so many ways to beat the heat in already scorching temperatures. We can head to the pool with the family or take in some complimentary air conditioning at the local movie theater or mall. Unfortunately, our four-legged friends have fewer options than we do, so we have to do the work to make sure our pets are prepared as much as we are.

Pets large and small can get dehydrated quickly and heat stroke can be fatal if not attended to right away. Pets need to always have plenty of fresh, clean water available and a shady place to be able to get out of the sun. It’s always best to keep pets indoors in extreme heat and be sure they do not get over exercised.

Remember that while Fido may be a part of the family and you want to take him with you on every trip to the lake or summer cookout, ask yourself if it’s really be the best choice for him. When temperatures are high, it’s not good for dogs to be on asphalt for extended periods. It can cause your dog’s body to heat up more quickly and can burn sensitive paw pads. Really, would you want to walk across a parking lot barefoot in the hot Texas sun? Neither does Fido.

Also remember that it is never safe to leave an animal in a vehicle for any period of time. The temperature inside a vehicle can rise 20 degrees in just 10 minutes and cracking the windows does not help. Animal’s bodies overheat so quickly that if left in a car – even for a quick run into the store – it could be a potentially fatal situation for them. If that isn’t enough, keep in mind that leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is illegal in several states.

If a pet becomes overheated, they need immediate attention as heat stroke can set in and become fatal very quickly. Symptoms of overheating include:

• Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
• Increased heart and respiratory rate
• Drooling
• Mild weakness
• Stupor or even collapse

As the situation becomes more serious, symptoms may also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature over 104 degrees. Pay especially close attention to animals that are flat-faced. They are unable to pant as effectively to cool down and are more prone to heat stoke. Other animals that are at higher risk such as elderly, overweight, or pets with heart or lung diseases should be kept in air conditioned rooms as much as possible.

And one final tip to get your party animal stylin’ for summer: A lightweight summer haircut for dogs can help prevent overheating. A one inch length is usually a good standard to go by as you never want to take it down to the skin. A shorter length like this will keep them cooler while still leaving them with some protection from the sun. For cats, a few extra brushing sessions will help prevent problems for them that can be caused by extreme heat.

Learn more Hot Weather Tips for your pet from the ASPCA. While you’re there, check out their section on Disaster Preparedness for Your Pet to be sure the whole family is ready for anything!

Be Red Cross Ready with our Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist!

Tweet