Pet tips and resources
Regional Animal Services of King County provides the following information as a public service. Check with your veterinarian for specific advice about your pet's health and well-being.
Summer heat safety tips
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 hot days, limit your pet's 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 an animal in distress from the heat, call 9-1-1 or if you live in the RASKC service area call 206-296-7387 (PETS).
Animal resources
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
- Interacting safely with dogs
- Children and dogs
- Under-socialized dogs
- Dog enrichment
Wildlife
RASKC values our animal welfare partner, Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). We work closely with PAWS on issues related to pet adoption, animal rehabilitation, and wildlife.
For more information, please visit the PAWS Wildlife Resource Library. You can also visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for information.