CNBNews

(Woodbury)  Gloucester County Officials are asking pet owners to keep their pets cool during this weeks heat.  Hot weather isn't just uncomfortable for animals -- it can be fatal.

The countys Animal Control Officers work very hard to keep animals and the public safe and this weather brings very difficult challenges, said Freeholder Director Stephen M. Sweeney.  "Dogs and cats can't provide their own ventilation or water. They can't get out of a hot car or airless room. It's all up to people."

Signs of heat stroke include panting, staring or stupor, breathing difficulty, an anxious expression, refusal to obey, warm dry skin, fever, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and collapse.

"People should contact their veterinarian immediately if they see these signs in their pets, said Bill Lombardi, Director of the Gloucester County Animal Shelter

The Gloucester County Animal Shelter issued these tips for keeping pets cool and safe:

• Never leave an animal in a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes. The temperature in a parked car may hit 120 degrees within minutes, so just a 10-minute stop may be dangerous. Opening the windows a few inches doesn't provide enough cooling. If you're running errands, leave your dog home -- in a cool basement, or in a shaded yard with a wading pool. If you're traveling, make your pit stops at places where your pet can get out of the vehicle.
• Provide fresh, cool drinking water at all times -- including in your vehicle when you're traveling.
• Outdoor kennels must be well-ventilated and shaded, with water in bowls that will not tip.
• Don't exercise pets on hot days or warm, humid nights. Groom your pet. Clip long coats to about an inch -- shorter clips or shaving can leave dogs vulnerable to sunburn. Brush cats daily in hot weather, when they shed profusely, to help keep them comfortable by preventing hairballs.
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