Cary Animal Services

Every year, we post this reminder about the dangers of leaving your dog in the car. Let this serve as a sober reminder of what really can happen. Animals can, and do, die in cars every year. PLEASE....leave your dogs home if the temperature is above 70 degrees.
**REMEMBER** 7-0 and they dont go!

Hey Cary,
We know you love your dog. We know your dog loves car rides. We know you have errands to run and you want to take your dog with you. But on warm, sunny days, your dog needs to stay at home. Heat is dangerous for your dog…even for just a few minutes, even if you park in the shade, even if you leave the windows cracked, even if you leave the sunroof open, even if…. We answer call after call on hot days about dogs being left in cars. Heat can be deadly in just minutes.

If someone sees your dog alone in a car, chances are good they will call us. They are concerned about your dog. We are too. We know you don’t want to see us at your car. We don’t want to be at your car. But you really don’t want us to tell you that something tragic has happened to your dog. It does happen. So PLEASE leave your dogs at home and not in your car while you run inside the store. You can take your dog out for a ride later when temps have cooled and you can be with them for an air-conditioned joy ride. We want your dog healthy and happy because we love animals. Your dog included!
Love,
Your Cary Animal Services Officers

Erosion control netting is widely used to stabilize soil on slopes, construction sites, and restoration areas. Some use it to fence in or cover garden areas. This netting, particularly when made of plastic or tightly woven synthetic fibers, can act like a snare for small animals. Birds, reptiles, amphibians, and even mammals can become entangled as they move through grassy areas covered with this material. Once caught, they often struggle to free themselves, leading to injuries, exhaustion, or even worse. We commonly get calls about animals who have become entrapped in plastic netting.

If erosion control is necessary, consider **wildlife-friendly netting** made from biodegradable materials like jute or coconut fiber. These options provide erosion protection while reducing the risk of entrapment. Another alternative is **loose straw mulch or erosion-control blankets**, which stabilize soil without dangerous netting. Protecting wildlife starts with awareness. Next time you're planning landscaping or erosion control efforts, look for solutions that will keep both the land and its creatures safe.
** Officer Chuck was able to free this five-foot black rat snake by gently cutting it free from the netting and it was released in the yard unharmed.

Nature is WILD!

Did you know...
Raccoons are one of the smartest wild animals on earth? In test comparisons, raccoons scored above cats and dogs and were more aligned with primates and crows in problem solving and tool usage. They can also learn from past experiences. While this makes them able to adapt to almost any environment, it also makes them a nuisance around trashcans and bird feeders. There are lots of ways to deter raccoons from your home, but be sure methods used will not harm the animal. We need to outsmart them to be truly effective!

Wildlife Wednesday - WHEW its HOT!

This week’s heat has been no joke. And with today being the hottest day, it is a good time to think about what animals do to cope. Behaviorally, some species become less active during the hottest hours, conserving energy to avoid overheating. You might see birds panting or spreading their wings to cool off, while reptiles like lizards and snakes bask in the sun during cooler parts of the day to regulate their body temperature more effectively. But what if you wear a fur coat all day? You may be surprised at the ways some of our furry neighbors stay cool.

• Raccoons can sweat through their hands and feet! They will also pant to dissipate heat and will sometimes walk or soak in creeks or ponds for hours.
• Deer will avoid moving around in the hottest part of the day and stay near their bedding areas. They may be more active at night to make up for lost grazing time.
• Possums will hide in cool nooks in trees or may even burrow to escape the heat. They cannot sweat but will lick the bottoms of their feet to aid in evaporative cooling.
• Squirrels will also seek out shady places to be but have discovered that lying flat out on a surface cooler than their body temperature can help. This behavior even has a name, “Splooting”.

While we may use some of the same behaviors as our wildlife to stay cool, getting in a pool, staying inside or in the shade, and sweating, we do not recommend “Splooting” in public. We might have to send someone to check on you. STAY COOL OUT THERE!

On this Memorial Day, please remember our fallen soldiers and our military working dogs. All worked and sacrificed to keep us safe. If a dog of war is lost in combat, like their human counterpart, he or she is honored by the entire unit. Bowls are symbolically placed upside down and a poem called ‘Guardians of the Night’ is read in their honor.

"Trust in me my friend, for I am your comrade.
I will protect you with my last breath.
When all others have left you and the loneliness of night closes in,
I will be at your side.

Together we will conquer all obstacles,
and search out those who wish to do harm to others.
All I ask of you is compassion,
and the caring touch of your hands.

It is for you that I will unselfishly give my life
and spend my nights unrested.
Although our days together may be marked by the passing of the seasons
Know that each day by your side is my reward.

My days are measured by the coming and going of your footsteps.
I anticipate them at every opening of the door.
You are the voice of caring when I am ill,
The voice of authority when I have done wrong.

Do not chastise me unduly,
for I am your right arm,
the sword at your side.
I attempt to do only what you bid of me.
I seek only to please you and remain in your favor.

Together you and I shall experience
a bond only others like us will understand.
When outsiders see us together,
their envy will be measured by their disdain.

I will quietly listen to you and pass no judgment,
nor will your spoken words be repeated.
I will remain ever silent, ever vigilant, ever loyal.

And when our time together is done
and you move on in the world,
Remember me with kind thoughts and tales.
For a time we were unbeatable,
Nothing passed among us undetected.

If we should meet again on another street
I will gladly take up your fight,
I am a Military Working Dog.

We are the guardians of the night."

*This memorial sculputre is located at the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)-Lackland in San Antonio, Texas.

This drought we are in hit in some unexpected ways for these juvenile goslings. What they thought was going to be a refreshening dip actually trapped them in stagnant water on Wednesday. The fountain must be broken and with no rain there was only about two inches of water in the pool. Their little wings had no flight feathers, and their legs couldn’t make the jump to get out. Fortunately, a good Samaritan called us to assist. With no parents around, we asked Carolina Waterfowl for advice. A wonderful volunteer met us to pick up the goslings, and she checked neighboring ponds for adult geese. She found some and held up one of the babies so it would make noise. One goose came running! She set the baby down and it ran right to its mom. The others were released as well, and they are still all together today. We love a happy ending!

Wildlife Wednesday - Opossum vs Possum

The opossum is a common character in our neighborhoods. Many of us have developed a shorthand of referring to them as just “possums”. But a possum happens to be another animal entirely and one that is only found in Australia! Although both are marsupials who carry their young in a pouch, opossums may have up to 13 joeys, while possums are more like their distant cousin, the kangaroo, with only one at a time. And while Australian possums are vegetarians, our opossums will eat virtually anything edible. Native opossums have a hairless, rat-like tail that they can use like an extra appendage and will hiss or fall catatonic, (playing possum) to dissuade predators. Their possum relatives are bushy-tailed with little defense. Either way, if you call us about a possum, on an opossum, we will know what you mean!

Bite Prevention for Children

Honestly, there is not much cuter than watching our children play and snuggle with our dogs. Raising kids with pets teaches them compassion and responsibility. Teaching them to treat those animals with respect and love helps to ensure a lasting bond and keeps everyone safe. Unfortunately, more than 2 million children, mostly between the ages of 5 and 9, are bitten by dogs each year. If you have younger children and pets, always supervise them and be mindful of how they interact with the dog. Here are some things to keep in mind to prevent children from being bitten.

• A dog needs a safe place, like a crate or bed, where the child should not bother them.
• Children will not understand dog body language, so teach them calm, gentle touch. Adults should observe the dog for any signs of becoming frustrated or upset.
• Children should never pull ears or tails, lay on or “ride” the dog, take food or toys away from the dog, or tease them.
• Always ask permission from the dog’s owner before allowing children to pet their dog. Also get permission from the dog by watching their body language. A loose, wiggly dog is generally receptive.
• Teach children that calm behavior from them helps dogs feel at ease. Avoid running, yelling, or making large, sudden movements.

Most of all remember, if you get your children a pet, it will really be yours! To reduce the number of injuries from dog bites, adults and children should be educated about bite prevention, and dog owners should practice responsible dog ownership.