Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (July 2, 2024) – The dog days of summer are here! This week, families will combine the love of country with the love of kin – both furry and human. From all of us at Helen Woodward Animal Center, we wish you a joyous 4th of July holiday weekend!
Sponsored Pet Adoptions for Military Members:
Starting Thursday, July 4 and continuing through Sunday, July 7, military families are invited to meet some fuzzy recruits at Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Paws for Patriots Event. Thanks to generous donor KayBella Cares, the Center is offering sponsored pet adoptions to thank military members and their families for their service. Fees for approved adopters (while sponsorships last) will be covered from July 4 – July 7.
The special adoption promotion is dedicated to bringing smiles to military heroes while also saving orphan pets in need. Helen Woodward Animal Center recognizes the years of comfort, laughter, joy and devotion a loving pet can provide – all crucial elements to assist military members and their families whose lives are dedicated to serving our country near and far.
ADOPTION DETAILS:
(Pay only a $36 microchip fee.) Limit one animal per household for sponsored adoption. Family must meet adoption requirements. Subject to limitations on availability. The military adoption discount applies to active duty, reserve and veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard, and/or immediate family members. Please bring your photo ID and one of the following to receive the adoption discount: • Military ID •Dependent ID • Veterans ID • DD-214 and Driver’s License • NGB Form 22. Thank you for your service!
This weekend adoptable dogs, cats, puppies and kittens will be waiting for their forever homes. Prospective adopters can view available pets here: https://animalcenter.org/adopt-a-pet.
And Now for Your 4th of July Pet Safety Tips….
4th OF JULY/FIREWORK SAFETY:
- More family pets will run away from home this weekend than during any other time of the year because of fireworks.
- DO NOT bring your pets along to the fireworks displays.
- Bring your pets indoors before fireworks displays begin.
- Make sure that your pets have access to their favorite “safe place” or find a quiet, comfortable, enclosed room where your pets can “hide” if they need to.
- If you are going to a firework display and leaving your pets at home alone, leave the radio or television set on so there is some “normal” background noise.
- Make sure your pets are micro-chipped. Many of the pets that run away during fireworks will escape by slipping out of their collars. A micro-chip identification will assure that your pet is returned if it ends up at a shelter.
- The adoptions department at Helen Woodward Animal Center will be open from Noon to 6 pm on the 4th of July!
OTHER 4th OF JULY/SUMMERTIME SAFETY TIPS:
HOTSPELLS:
- The normal body temperature for a dog is 101 to 102 degrees.
- A 3-degree rise can put a dog into a dangerous situation and increase its need for oxygen.
- At 108 degrees the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and intestinal tracts begin to break down.
- Don’t leave your dog or cat in a car.
- Make sure that your pets have plenty of water and shade.
- If you believe that your pet is overheating bring it into air conditioning. You can immerse it in cool (not cold) water and give it “sips” of water. If necessary, apply ice packs and immediately take your dog to your veterinarian.
- If the pavement or sidewalk is too hot for your feet, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. The pads can easily be burned on hot days.
GENERAL SUMMERTIME SAFETY:
- Keep pets away from hot barbeque grills or coals.
- Store pesticides and fertilizers out of reach of pets.
- Make sure that pets are not sniffing grass seed into their noses.
- Dogs that watch you plant bulbs may dig them up. The bulbs can be poisonous.
- Dogs or cats with white noses or ear tips can sun burn. If your pet will wear sunscreen, that’s great. But most of them will lick it off. It’s best to just keep them in the shade when the sun is bright.
For more information on adopting or for summertime safety questions, call Helen Woodward Animal Center at 858-756-4117, visit the Center at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe or visit https://animalcenter.org. For information on the Helen Woodward Animal Center Companion Animal Hospital, dial 858-756-4469.
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About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: https://animalcenter.org