Summer is here, in full swing!  While enjoying the sunny weather and summer activities as so many people do, we need to be sure our animals are enjoying it, too, avoiding such problems as overheating, dehydration, insect bites, overexposure to the sun, and so forth.

The ASPCA offer tips to keep our animals healthy and happy during the summer season:

Animals must NEVER be left in a parked vehicle.  The temperatures can rise very quickly, and once hyperthermia sets in, it can be fatal to your pet!

When traveling with your animals, be sure to carry thermos bottles filled with  plenty of cold, fresh water.

Older and overweight animals are especially sensitive to overheating, so please keep them as cool as possible.

The best playtime for your pets is while it's still relatively cool in the early morning, or evening hours (though never after meals, or in humid weather).

Good grooming is important and helps keep your animals comfortable.  Regular, frequent brushing removes "dead" hair, especially from the undercoat.

Never use any insect repellent or sunscreen on your pets unless it is specifically labeled for use on animals!  If in doubt, of course, check with the veterinarian first!

Keep your animals away from areas that may have been sprayed with toxic chemicals such as insecticides, and please be alert to automotive fluids which might be leaking from your vehicle or others. These chemicals can be highly poisonous to your pets!

When walking your animals during high summer temperatures, do not let them stand on hot pavement for very long - their body temperature can quickly rise, and their paw pads can receive burns.

To prevent accidents, the open windows in your home need to have snug, sturdy screens, wedged tightly in the window frames!   This an especially important safety precaution for your cats who, contrary to "popular legend", don't always easily survive falls!   And you don't have to live in a "high-rise" building for this to happen: this can be true even on falls from one-story up!
Since many cats seem to have no fear of high places, and even enjoy them, this can put them at higher risk of falling, especially if they notice another animal or a bird, etc., which can cause them to become distracted and lose their balance.  Or, they can easily fall asleep at the window, and accidentally push through an insecure screen.  Again, please be sure that your screening is strong and secure!

Here at the Catalina Island Humane Society, one of our main goals is finding loving  homes for animals who need them.  Right now, we have many kittens and cats who are ready for adoption!  We invite you to come and visit our wonderful cats, recently rescued locally, and eager to meet you!   Phone 310-510-1900, leave a message - a volunteer will return your call to help arrange your visit.  The little cats will be so happy to see you...!

A Very Special Cat:   Meow is a beautiful, sweet, spayed adult female cat, black and white with lovely white whiskers.  Sadly, she was turned over to the Humane Society when her owner suddenly passed away.  The family is hoping that Meow will be welcomed into a loving, affectionate home here in the community.She is full of love and purrs and confusion as to why she's in a cage in the shelter. Please consider opening your heart and home to this angel of a cat. Even if you can only foster, she'd appreciate getting out of the shelter, as soon as possible. Please call 310-510-1900 to meet Meow.

ALSO: if you are not ready to adopt, but feel you might be able to provide a foster home for cats for the next few weeks or so, please call 310-510-1900, leave a message and apply!  The CI Humane Society really needs volunteers for this important work, right now!