Summer is a time to enjoy the sunshine and great outdoors. Make it a safe summer for you and your pet. Follow our tips below:

• Don't leave pets in parked cars on warm days. Learn more here.
   
• Dogs should never ride in the back of pick-up trucks. In a sudden stop or quick turn, dogs can be thrown from the vehicle and seriously injured or killed. Make sure your pet rides inside and wears a seat belt harness designed for dogs or is in a crate. Make fliers to spread the word about pick-up trucks and dogs. For ideas on what to write, click here.
   
• Tell your family to store plant food, fertilizer and insecticides where your pet can't reach them.
   
• Make sure your pet always wears a collar with an identification tag. If your pet gets lost, he has a better chance of being returned to you. 
   
• Take care when exercising your pet. On very hot days, limit your dog's exercise to early morning or evening hours. Sidewalks and driveways can get very hot and can even burn your pet's paws.
   
• If you have a pool, make sure your pet can't get to it when you are not around. If you want to play in the pool with your pooch, be sure to keep an eye on her.
   
• Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets. When outside, be sure dogs have access to a shady area.
   
• Don't take your pet to crowded summer events like concerts or fairs. Loud noises and crowds can be stressful for pets.
   
• Be on the lookout for heat stroke. Signs include panting a lot, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, walking unsteady, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue. Move your pet to the shade and apply cool (not cold) water to her body gradually to lower her temperature. Apply cold towels or ice packs to your pet's neck, head, and chest only. Let your pet drink water or lick ice cubes. And bring her to a vet right away.
   
• Don't chain or tether your dog outside.
   
• Keep your cat inside to keep her safe from other animals and cars.
   
• Ask your parents to check with the vet for heartworm prevention in pets.
   
• If you have a rabbit, don't keep her outside. Temperatures above 80º F can cause heat stroke in rabbits. Rabbits can't cool themselves off like other pets--in the wild they go underground to stay cool. Keep her cage out of direct sunlight. You can chill squares of tile in the freezer and then place it where your bunny can lay on it. Leave a few ice cubes in her water dish.