Pet Ownership
Benefits of Owning a Pet
1. Companionship: Animals can make amazing companions.
2. Social Magnets: Pets can help bring people together, are great conversation topics and assist in finding a common ground with others.
3. Exercise: Pets need frequent exercise, this can promote activity in their owners as well. Please be sure to research a breed's traits, characteristics and traditional activity levels prior to adopting. If a breed is known to be hyper and need a lot of exercise, it is best to be with someone willing to be active. Knowing a breed prior to adoption can limit the stress, destruction and trauma to both the adopting family and pet.
4. Mental Health: Animals are known to have a positive impact on mental health. Studies have shown that pets can increase people's levels of oxytocin, also known as the "love" hormone, that reduces anxiety, stress, depression and lowers blood pressure by up to 300%.
1. Are you allowed to have a pet?
Adopting is an animal is an amazing opportunity, doing your research can save heartache later.
The summer months can be dangerous for people and pets. Follow our tips for helping everyone in your family stay healthy and comfortable . These tips will help to keep you and your pets out of harm's way:
- Limit exercise on hot days (limit to early morning or evening hours only).
- Keep pets away from asphalt, which heats up in the summer sun.
- Provide ample shade and water at all times, misting systems can help.
- Watch for signs of heatstroke, which include heaving, panting, glazed eyes, dizziness, lethargy and vomiting. Very young and elderly pets are particularly susceptible to heatstroke.
- Never leave a pet in a parked car, not even momentarily.
- Watch the humidity. Animals pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels;
- Cool your pet inside and out. Whip up a batch of quick an easy DIY peanut butter popsicles for dogs (or another favorite food).
- Provide your pets with a cooling beds, body wrap, best or mat by soaking these products in cool water. You can also purchase a kiddie pool for pets to keep them cool while having fun!
The Fourth of July, and other events where fireworks are present, are exciting and exhilarating events for people, but can be traumatic for pets. The sudden loud noises and flashing lights can be disorienting and frightening for pets.
The Humane Society of the United States offers some very good tips to help keep your pets safe; here are just a few:
1. Keep your pets away from fireworks. Consider leaving them with a family member, friend or at home.
2. If your pet is continually frightened or exhibits altered behavior due to fireworks, Consult your veterinarian. They may have medication, techniques or additional resources to help your pet.
3. Outdoor activities that include fireworks typically take place during summer and include hotter temperatures which can put your pet at risk for heat stroke. Protect your pet by keeping them away safe and cool.
4. All pets should have collars and ID tags, even full-time indoor pets. This will help identify your pet if they happen to become frightened and run away. Microchipping your pet is highly recommended.
For more tips on how to protect your pet from fireworks, visit the Humane Society's website.
Report a Bite
California State Law requires that all animals bites be reported. Bite reports may be received by phone, in person or sent by the attending medical hospital and faxed to (760)947-1712. An animal that has bitten someone will be quarantine for 10 days, either at the owner's home or at the Animal Shelter. It is recommended that any person bitten by an animal seek medical attention, especially if bitten by cats. Cat bites are known to cause serious infections to humans. Special attention and notification should be taken if bitten by a bat, skunk, fox or coyote.