July is National Pet Loss Prevention Month!

It’s no coincidence this awareness month falls in July—July 5th is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters as we work to reunite pets who panicked and got lost during Independence Day celebrations.

Fair warning: you're going to hear us sound a lot like a broken-record on the subject of microchips as you read this month's newsletter. While ID tags are a great first line of defense, nothing beats a microchip when it comes to making sure your pet has a way back to you if they’re ever lost.

This month, in honor of Pet Loss Prevention, we encourage you to take a few simple steps to ensure your pet is protected in the event of being separated from you:

• Check your pet’s ID tags—are they up-to-date and securely attached?
• If your pet doesn’t have a microchip, consider having one placed. It’s quick, affordable, and a reliable way to make sure your contact info travels with your pet, wherever they go.

Don’t wait until your pet is missing to think about pet loss prevention—give us a call at 209-984-5489 to schedule a $10 microchip appointment. It takes only a few seconds to place a microchip, but the protection lasts a lifetime.

And if you’ve ever wondered what to do if you find a lost pet, check out this helpful article from the American Humane Society on the proper steps to take to keep them safe while you help to get them home:

Last month, we hosted our annual Rummage to the Rescue! secondhand sale in the Humane Society conference room. So many of you donated items in the lead-up, and even more turned out to shop and show your support. As those who browsed the tables can confirm, the selection was wonderfully eclectic, featuring everything from an inflatable kayak to guitars, camp stoves, pet beds, and so much more.

In the end, we raised $3,400 from the event—all of which goes directly toward the essential work we do helping pets and their people in Tuolumne County and beyond. As always, we owe a huge part of that success to our incredible volunteers, who put in so much time and energy to make sure everything was organized, smooth, and shopper-friendly. We’re so grateful to them—and to everyone who donated, shopped, or simply helped spread the word.

That same weekend in June (it was a busy one), we also teamed up with Tuolumne County Animal Control (TCAC) and Second Chance Spay and Neuter Clinic for a community vaccine and microchip clinic. TCAC provided low-cost rabies vaccines, Second Chance offered free DHPP and FVRCP vaccines, and we were able to place 17 low-cost microchips that day!

Just a reminder: we offer $10 microchips year-round by appointment. It’s quick, affordable, and the most reliable way to make sure your pet has a ticket home if they ever get lost. Call the shelter to learn more or to schedule your pet’s appointment.

With Fourth of July celebrations just around the corner, now’s the time to plan ahead for your furry family members. While the festivities may be fun for humans, all the excitement and unfamiliarity can be frightening for many pets. The loud and intense sounds associated with fireworks and poppers can overwhelm even the calmest of animals, and at the same time, gatherings and parties can inadvertently create an opportunity for a dog or a cat to slip out the door or escape unnoticed.

In fact, July 5th is one of the busiest shelter intake days of the year, as pets spooked by Fourth of July commotion can easily panic and become lost.

Help keep your pets safe (and out of the shelter) with these essential tips:

• Keep pets indoors and secure. Fireworks and similar loud noises can cause even the mellowest animals to panic and run.
• Leaving the house? Consider using a crate, or enclosing your pet in a secure room to keep them safe while you're away.
• Check your pet's ID tags! Make sure all tags are properly attached and have your up-to-date address and contact information.
• Microchip your pet! Tags can fall off—microchips are permanent ID's. We offer them for just $10 at the shelter. Call us to schedule your pet's microchip appointment today!
• Without up-to-date information, your pet's microchip may not lead them back to you. Unsure if your pet's chip info is current? Stop by the shelter (or any veterinary office)—we can scan your pet’s chip for free. Then, you can head to my24pet.com to update or register the microchip at no cost.

With just a few quick steps, you can make sure this Independence Day is safe and stress-free for all the furry members of your family.

It’s officially summer—and the temps are rising!

Our golden rule for hot weather: If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them.

Here are a few essential tips to keep your pets safe during the dog days of summer (plus an ice-cold treat recipe at the end!):

💧 Stay hydrated

Just like humans, pets can become dehydrated quickly in the heat. Make sure they always have access to plenty of clean, cool water—especially during hot weather.

🏠 Bring pets inside

Limit outdoor exercise to early mornings or late evenings when it’s cooler. If your pet must be outside, make sure they have shade and a protected area to rest. On extremely hot days, keep them indoors where it’s cool.

🐾 Protect those paws

Hot surfaces like asphalt, concrete or sand can burn your pet’s paw pads. Before walking, do a quick test: place your hand on the surface for 7 seconds—if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them.

Pro tip: Dog booties can offer excellent protection for paws in those

instances where walking outside in the heat is unavoidable.

🌡 Never leave pets in cars

Even when it feels relatively mild outside, the greenhouse effect can cause the inside of a car to reach extreme temperatures fast. On an 80-degree day, it only takes 20 minutes for the interior of a parked car to hit 109 degrees. Cracking the windows or parking in the shade doesn’t make enough of a difference.

Avoid tragedy—never leave your pets in the car.

With just a few simple precautions in mind, you and your pet are all set to enjoy everything summer has to offer. Now, check out one of our favorite recipes for dog-friendly “pup-sicles”—just two ingredients, simple to put together, and guaranteed to make your pup think, “best summer ever.”

•July 1: National ID Your Pet Day—Celebrate this day with us by taking a moment to ensure your pet's ID tags and microchip info are up-to-date. Need some help? You can stop by the shelter to have us scan your pet's microchip and provide you with instructions on how to update their microchip info, if needed.

•July 1-3: Walk-in Microchips at the Humane Society: stop by the shelter between 10am and 2pm to get your pet's $10 microchip before July 4th! No appointment needed—just come on by. Dogs on leash and cats in individual carriers, please.

•July 4: SHELTER CLOSED to the public for the Fourth of July holiday. We hope you have a wonderful holiday!

• Every Saturday, 11am: HSOTC Volunteer Orientation—join a short orientation at the shelter to become a part of our volunteer team! No RSVP required, just show up!

•July 31: National Mutt Day—it's no secret that around here, we're huge fans of mixed breeds! If you've got one of your own at home, celebrate with us by posting a photo of your favorite mutt pet on our Facebook/Instagram page on this day. We can't wait to see all those perfect one-of-kind faces!

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