10 Simple Steps to Keep Pets Safe This Labour Day Long Weekend

NEWMARKET, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 2, 2016) - Labour Day is a time for fun with friends and family, but don't forget about the safety of your four-legged friends as you celebrate the final long weekend of summer.

"We want everyone, including pets, to have a safe and enjoyable long weekend," says Tanya Firmage, Chief of Humane Programs and Community Outreach, Ontario SPCA. "It's easy to get distracted with family gatherings, parties and outdoor activities, but you need to keep an eye on your animals. Make sure they're getting the care they require and that they're not doing something that will end in illness, injury or worse."

The Ontario SPCA offers the following tips to keep your pets safe this long weekend:

1. No Hot Pets - Leave your pet at home if you can't take them with you when you leave your car while running errands etc. Parked cars can quickly reach deadly temperatures, even on relatively mild days with the car parked in the shade and the windows slightly open.
2. Stay hydrated and cool - Make sure your dog always has access to fresh water and a cool, sheltered place out of direct sunlight to avoid heat stroke. Limit your time outside to short periods and try to go for walks in the early mornings or evenings when the weather is a little cooler.
3. Supervise swimming pets - Never leave your dog unsupervised by any body of water and remember your pet should be outfitted with a lifejacket when swimming or boating. Even the strongest swimmers can tire or get caught in a current.
4. Minimize fireworks fear - Keep pets indoors at home in a safe place if they are fearful of fireworks. This will help reduce the noise level of the fireworks and reduce the risk of your pet running away if he/she is spooked.
5. Update your contact info - Verify your pet's ID is current. Should your pet run away, having an updated ID tag or microchip on your pet will help ensure local animal services can find you to reunite you with your lost pet.
6. Beware of wildlife - Reduce the risk of wildlife encounters by bringing pet food indoors at night, cleaning barbecue grills after use and keeping doors closed.
7. BBQ safety - Be aware of where your pet is while you're using the barbecue. Keep the lid closed when you're not at the grill to reduce the chance of injury to your pet.
8. Pet food, not people food - Not all people food is good for pets to eat. Do your research if you're going to feed your pet table scraps. Also, encourage guests not to share their food with your pets.
9. Avoid stranger stress - If your pet isn't comfortable with having strangers around, work out a system of introduction with your guests. You can also keep your pet in a separate room where they have toys and lots of water.
10. Eliminate escape opportunities - Guests can inadvertently leave open doors and gates. Be careful to make sure all exits are secured so your pets don't run away.

For more pet safety tips, visit ontariospca.ca.

Ontario SPCA and Humane Society:

Protecting animals since 1873, Ontario SPCA is Ontario's Animal Welfare organization. A registered charity comprised of over 50 communities.

Since 1919, when Ontario's first Animal Welfare legislation was proclaimed, the Ontario SPCA, with the help of its Communities, has been entrusted to maintain and enforce Animal Welfare legislation. The Act provides Ontario SPCA Agents and Inspectors with police powers to do so.

Ontario SPCA provides leadership in animal welfare innovations including introducing high-volume spay/neuter services to Ontario and opening the Provincial Education and Animal Centre.

OntarioSPCA.ca

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