HAWAIIAN HUMANE SOCIETY PHOTO
This doggie seat belt consists of a piece of nylon fabric and a series of straps fitted around the dog's chest. Place the dog in a seat that doesn't have an air bag, then slide the car's regular seat belt through the back of the harness and snap it in place.
[ PET OHANA ]
Holiday explosions
could rattle your pet
Many families will celebrate Independence Day with parties today and booming displays tonight. It can be a scary time for our cherished pets, which might sneak out the door during a party or be frightened away by the flash of fireworks.
Here are some tips for keeping your animals safe:
SMILE!
Your pet's photo can be in the 2004 Pets in Paradise calendar. The deadline for photo entries is July 31. For an entry form and information, visit the calendar of events at www.hawaiianhumane.org.
>> Make sure all your pets are wearing identification. ID tags will help others bring your lost animal home to you. If you don't have a tag, write your phone number on the collar in permanent marker. It is also a good idea to have several photographs of each pet to post and otherwise help others identify them in the event they are lost.
>> Keep pets indoors in a quiet room where they will feel protected, away from the party and guests' comings and goings. It is too easy for them to slip out the door without being noticed.
>> If there are fireworks near your home tonight, stay home with your pets to comfort and reassure them, particularly if your animals are very excitable. Do not give human tranquilizers to animals. If you can't stay with your pet, bring them into a room where they'll be safe, turn on some soothing music and leave a light on to comfort them.
>> If you're going to be away from home, bring the pets inside before you go. The explosive noises from fireworks often scare pets so much that they are able to break free from their leashes or jump fences in a panic. "Outside pets" should be brought into the garage or onto an enclosed lanai.
>> If you find a lost animal, call the Humane Society at 946-2187, ext. 285, or bring the animal to the shelter at 2700 Waialae Ave., which is open 24 hours a day to receive lost animals and for emergency rescues.
>> If you lose your pet, come to the shelter during visiting hours to make a "lost" report and look for your animal. Bring a photo of your pet with you. Visiting hours are noon to 8 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends and today.
Pet safety in vehicles
Dogs that ride in the back of pickup trucks must be properly restrained to keep them from being pitched out or injured. The Honolulu Police Department enforces the law that states that dogs in pickups must be in a secured carrier or cross-tethered from three points in the truck bed.If you've seen the film of crash test dummies, you know that any unsecured passenger inside a car can be injured, even in a minor collision. Placing the dog in a crate (carrier) secured to a seat or in the hatchback is one solution. Some pet owners fit their dogs with canine chest harnesses that are attached to the regular car seat belts. The design of the harness allows the dog to sit, stand and even turn around while being safely restrained.
Car restraints for dogs have several advantages. They:
>> Keep the driver from being distracted while the car is moving.
>> Minimize injury to the dog and to humans during a collision.
>> Prevent the dog from bolting out after an accident.
Some dogs have even been known to jump out of open windows, even while the car is moving, so doggie seat belts are important safety devices for these passengers.
Hot summer safety
Dogs and cats can't cool themselves by perspiring the way humans do, and pets that get overheated can become extremely sick or die, so it's up to us to make sure our animal companions keep their cool.For indoor pets left home alone, keep the house well ventilated and give animals access to breezy areas away from the sunny side of the house. Rabbits are especially sensitive to heat.
Exercise on a hot day can cause heatstroke among animals. During the summer, exercise your dog in the hours when it is cooler, during early morning and evening hours.
Dehydration can quickly kill animals, so an ample supply of fresh drinking water is essential.
Watch your pet for signs of heatstroke -- heavy panting, slobbering, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures or coma. If you observe these symptoms, soak your pet with cold water and seek veterinary attention immediately.
Don't ever leave your pet in the car. Just a few minutes can be too long for a pet on a hot day. Within 10 minutes the temperature inside the car could reach 160 degrees. That's hot enough to cause an animal to suffer heatstroke. Moments later, your pet could sustain permanent brain damage. If emergency care is not given, your pet could die.
Unless you're taking your pet to the veterinarian or driving Rover to the dog park, it's better if you park your pet at home. That quick stop at the store could easily stretch to 15 minutes or more before you know it. Leaving the windows cracked will not cool the car enough to protect your pet. A delay during your errand could cost your animal friend its life.
"Pet Ohana" runs the first and third Fridays of the month. The Hawaiian Humane Society is a nonprofit agency dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals. Its address is 2700 Waialae Ave. Call 946-2187.
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calendars and events.
