Animal Confinement
A pet owner is responsible for ensuring their pet remains safe. Dogs who run loose can become lost, hit by cars, be stolen, become victims of other dogs or wildlife, be exposed to contagious disease or be subject to unintentional poisoning when digging through someone's trash. It is in your dog's best interest to keep them safe at home. Click here to view our informational brochure for tips on keeping your dog home and safe.
Chaining Your Dog Is Not Recommended As A Primary Form of Confinement
There are numerous reasons why chaining your dog as a primary form of confinement is not the best choice for your dog, your family and your neighbors. The primary reason is that a chained dog is more likely to become aggressive. That aggression often results in injury to a resident of the household in which the dog resides. Click here to view an informational brochure for an explanation of why dogs should not be chained. Please refer to the informational brochure in the Animal Confinement section above for better ideas for keeping your dog safe and at home.
Dogs In Hot Cars - A Tragedy Waiting to Happen
Unfortunately, every year Mesa County Animal Services responds to calls where dogs have been left in a car on a warm or hot day. All too often, these cases result in a physically stressed animal, or worse yet, an owner who has to live with the responsibility that they caused the death of their beloved pet.
We are often asked by dog owners when it is acceptable to take their dog with them while they run errands, knowing they will leave their dog in the car for just a few minutes. Unfortunately, there is no black and white answer. Conditions vary and the temperature alone does not make the situation dangerous or safe. The type and color of car, the breed, age and health of the dog, the conditions in which the dog is confined in the vehicle, the temperature along with the type of cloud cover and wind are all factors that can contribute to an unsafe situation. Conversely, if it is a cloudy, cold, winter day, then your dog may be perfectly safe and happy in the back seat of your car for a couple of minutes. Because weather conditions change quickly, we recommend that you always err on the side of caution and leave your dog at home on even moderately warm days in the spring, summer and fall. Click here to view an informational brochure on Dogs in Hot Cars - A Formula for Tragedy.
Hot Weather Pet Care Tips
It can be a challenge to stay cool and comfortable in hot weather. We, as humans, generally have the ability and resources to make choices for ourselves that allow us to live in comfort and safety.
We can put on shoes because the sidewalk is hot; We can turn on the cooler or fan because we are uncomfortably warm; We can go to the faucet and splash our face with cold water because we feel sweaty; We can retrieve a nice, cold bottle of water from the fridge because we are hot and thirsty; We can move to a shady part of the yard or go inside because the sun is to bright and hot. Unfortunately, dogs don't have the ability to do those tasks on their own. We, as responsible pet owners, need to make sure we provide the right environment so our dogs can stay safe and healthy. Click here to view an informational brochure on Hot Weather Pet Care Tips.
Cold Weather Pet Care Tips
Just as it can be a challenge to stay cool and comfortable in the hot weather, it can be equally as hard for our pets to stay warm and safe in cold weather. Click here to view an informational brochure on Cold Weather Pet Care Tips.
Last Modified: 05/29/09
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