With temperatures rising into the triple digits, the Texas summer heat can take a toll on both human and animal populations.
The National Weather Service has repeatedly reminded North Texans to practice heat safety, which includes maintaining proper hydration, dressing in loose-fitting clothing, avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, and minimizing exposure to direct sunlight.
Now a Texas wildlife rescue service is reminding citizens to look after their feathered and furry friends in light of the summer heat. Austin Wildlife Rescue (AWR) told KXAN that the summer months, which coincide with “baby season,” are its busiest times of the year.
Jules Maron, operations manager for AWR, said that the organization has received more reports of baby animals abandoned in the heat, leaving them vulnerable to dehydration.
“Babies are just going to dehydrate so quickly since they cannot thermoregulate,” said Maron, according to KXAN. “So they’re either going to get too cold or way too hot right now. I think those are the biggest adjustments. We’re probably having people bring in babies they find a little bit sooner rather than waiting quite as long to see if the mom comes back.”
AWR said homeowners can leave shallow dishes of fresh water out for smaller critters — like turtles, birds, and squirrels — and bigger containers of water for larger animals.
“It’s tough out there in the wild, even on a nice fall day,” said Maron, per KXAN. “But on these dreadful summer days, anything that we could do just to help a little bit, I think it just goes an extraordinarily long way.”
However, AWR cautions that residents should place the water containers away from their homes for their own safety and that of their pets.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has predicted scorching temperatures ranging from the high 90s to as high as 110 degrees throughout the week, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
And for tips on how to keep your pets safe in the summer heat, click here.
