August is a Hot Time for Pet Adoptions and Shelter Donations
Clear the Shelters is an annual pet adoption campaign in its 12th year. Along with adoptions, it has raised more than $5.6 million in donations for shelters nationwide. In 2025, over 160,000 pets were adopted! Here’s more info:
“NBCUniversal Local is teaming up with hundreds of shelters across the country to host Clear The Shelters in August 2026, a nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign that helps find loving homes for animals in need. More than 1 million pets have found their forever homes since 2015.”
Cincinnati-Area Clear the Shelters Locations
Louie’s Legacy is one of the largest foster-based rescues in the US, and it’s based right here in Cincinnati! Founded in 2009, Louie’s Legacy has saved the lives of tens of thousands of animals.
The rescue works with Clear the Shelters and has adoption events at these Cincinnati-area PetSmart locations:
Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue – PetSmart- Western Hills, 6068 Glenway Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45211, (908) 280-5024
“At 11 years old and 25 pounds, Dino is proof that age is just a number. This sweet, easygoing guy is looking for a family to spend his golden years with, and all he really wants is a comfortable spot to relax and people to love.”
“Danica is an 8-year-old, 30 lb beagle mix with big brown eyes who just loves kisses, scratches and cuddles and being close to her people. Her superpowers include being a fast and eager learner, loving all people everywhere, and getting along great with other dogs and her cat sister. She loves to just explore the outdoors and sniff around still.”
“Meet David Bowie, an 8.5-year-old, 100-lb Lab mix who is looking for his forever family. David Bowie is the definition of a gentleman. He’s currently living in a foster home with other dogs and mellow cats and has been doing well in that environment. However, he may truly thrive as the only pet in a home where he can soak up all the love and attention and be the center of his person’s world. Don’t let his age fool you! While DB is perfectly happy lounging around the house and soaking up the cozy life, he still gets excited for walks and enjoys getting outside.”
“This sweet girl is around 3 years old and weighs around 8 pounds. Though Sugar Mama is shy, she is also incredibly sweet. It will take her some time to settle into a new environment, but once she does she will show you her heart of gold! Fast movements startle her, so she would do best in a calmer household. Once she builds trust with you, she loves to chat with you and come to you for love and affection!”
“Wiggles is a 8-month-old short-haired kitten with a gentle, shy nature and a heart full of potential. He may be a little reserved when first meeting new people, but with patience and a calm environment, his sweet personality starts to shine through. Once he feels safe, Wiggles enjoys quiet playtime, soft pets, and cozy spots where he can relax and observe the world around him. He’s the kind of kitten who forms deep bonds with his people, offering soft purrs and quiet companionship.”
“Wren is a 9-month-old short-haired sweetheart with a curious spirit and a gentle soul. She’s the perfect mix of playful and affectionate—always ready to chase a toy one minute and curl up beside you the next. With her bright eyes and soft coat, Wren has a quiet charm that wins people over quickly. She’s still young, so she loves exploring her surroundings and discovering new things, but she also appreciates a cozy spot for naps and some good chin scratches.”
We hope one of these lovely cats or dogs speaks to your heart. If adopting another pet isn’t right for your family right now, consider donating to Louie’s Legacy.
Summer in Cincinnati is reliably hot and humid, which can be dangerous for people and pets alike. We can take some advice from the SPCA of Texas, where hot weather is no surprise.
Heat exhaustion starts when your pet’s body temperature elevates to 104 degrees F. Heat stroke can rapidly follow.
What Are the Danger Signs of Heat Stroke?
Heavy panting, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst
Bright red tongue and mucous membranes, which turn grey as shock sets in
Thick saliva, drooling, vomiting and/or diarrhea
Unsteadiness and staggering
Lethargy
Which Pets Are Most Susceptible to Heat Exhaustion?
Dogs and cats with short noses and flat faces, such as pugs, bulldogs and Persian cats
Long-haired and thick-furred pets
Puppies and kittens
Seniors (most dogs over seven years old and cats over 10)
However, even if your pet doesn’t fall into the high-risk categories, heat exhaustion can come on rapidly and advance into heat stroke.
What About Cats & Heat Exhaustion?
The signs and risks of heat exhaustion in cats are very similar to dogs, so the above chart applies to both. Here’s what’s different for cats:
Cats don’t pant to release excess heat. They must rely on grooming themselves and finding shade
Since cats don’t pant, you’ll look for open-mouthed breathing as a sign of overheating
Flat-faced, brachycephalic cat breeds like Persians are more susceptible to heat exhaustion
We recommend keeping your cat indoors in an air-conditioned environment during very hot days.
What to Do if You Suspect Heat Stroke in Your Pet
Move your pet to a cooler environment right away. An air-conditioned room is best. If that’s not available, provide shade and a fan
Wet their body with cool water (not ice water)
Offer clean water
DON’T: immerse in ice water or wrap them in a wet towel
Call your veterinarian right away
How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Your Pet
The best advice for preventing heat stroke in your pet is to be mindful that summer temperatures can lead to dangerous situations quickly.
Keep your pet inside the air-conditioning during the heat of the day
Take walks in the early morning and late evening, keeping them shorter than usual
Dehydration can be a common problem for cats and dogs. Your pet needs about one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. If your pet is particularly active or spends considerable time outside, they may need more water.
Here’s a helpful video about pet hydration, and how important water is for every single body function and your pet’s overall health.
How Do I Check for Dehydration in My Pet?
Gum test: Gently pull back your pet’s lip and feel their gums. If the gum is sticky or dry, your pet is dehydrated.
Skin test: Use your thumb and forefinger to create a “tent” of skin between your pet’s shoulders. If the skin snaps back quickly, your pet probably isn’t dehydrated. If it takes more than a moment to snap back, dehydration is likely.
Other symptoms of dehydration can include:
Loss of appetite
Loss of energy
Sunken eyes
Depression
Panting
Vomiting
What to Do if You Suspect Dehydration in Your Pet
If you think your pet might be dehydrated, do these two things right away:
Offer water immediately
Call your veterinarian
If dehydration is a common problem for your pet, your veterinarian may recommend you switch to wet food.
Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday with Our Pets
July 11 is All-American Pet Photo Day. Is your pet ready for a patriotic photo shoot? We’d love to see your pictures! Share them with us on Facebook,Instagram, or email us.
Get Inspired for Your Own Patriotic Pet Photos
Check out these inspo shots for your cat or dog. From snazzy bow-ties to adorable bows to handsome bandanas, these pets are decked out!
Tips for a Safe Pet Photo Shoot
During your photo shoot, it can be hard to keep track of both posing your pet and being the photographer. Keep these safety tips in mind:
In the summer, you’ll obviously want to avoid dressing your pet in warm clothing like sweaters or jackets.
Don’t use dangerous props like sparklers, ribbon or tinsel.
Summer is in full swing, and hotter days are ahead. Check out these important summer safety tips to keep your pets healthy this season.
Summer Safety Do’s
DO provide pets with cool, fresh water at all times (both outdoors and indoors)
DO keep pets indoors in the AC during the heat of the day
DO walk your dogs early in the morning or in the evening, when the temperatures are cooler
DO limit jogging or bicycling with your dog
DO apply sunscreen to your pets if you’re going to be in the sun, especially those with short hair.
Summer Safety Don’ts
DON’T leave pets unattended in cars
DON’T leave dogs outdoors, unattended on a chain or tether
DON’T let pets near gardening products, pesticides, fertilizers or tools
DON’T walk dogs on hot sidewalks or asphalt that burns their paws
DON’T leave pets outside during fireworks/firecracker displays
Hot Asphalt Awareness
It doesn’t take much sunny weather to make asphalt dangerously hot. When the air temperature is comfortable, it can still burn exposed paw pads.
Air Temperature
Asphalt Temperature
77 degrees F
125 degrees F
86 degrees F
135 degrees F
87 degrees F
143 degrees F
At 125 degrees F, skin destruction can occur in just 60 seconds. At 131 degrees F, an egg will fry in five minutes. During walks, keep your dog off asphalt (or protect their paws with booties).
Heat Stroke in Dogs
Heat stroke affects any human or animal. It’s when the body temperature dangerously overheats. Dogs are especially susceptible to heat stroke and need their humans to watch out for them.
Normal: 100.5 – 102.5 degrees F
Heat Exhaustion: greater than 104 degrees F
Heat Stroke: 107-109 degrees F
Early Signs of Heat Stroke
When a dog’s body temperature approaches 104 degrees F, they will show these symptoms:
Heavy panting
Difficulty breathing
Excessive thirst
Unsteadiness and staggering
Lethargy
Intense Symptoms of Heat Stroke
After 15 minutes or more of suffering heat stroke, a dog’s symptoms will become much more serious.
The Risk of Parasite Infection Can Be Right Next Door– At Any Time
Our dogs need protection from several parasites. Credelio Quattro is a chewable tablet that protects against six parasites:
Fleas
Ticks
Heartworms
Roundworms
Hookworms
Tapeworms
This prevention medication is given to your dog monthly as a beef-flavored chewable tablet. It’s a convenient, clean and simple-to-administer solution for protecting your dog from common parasites.
It kills more than 99% of fleas within eight hours, about 97% of ticks within 48 hours and 100% of tapeworms. And it prevents heartworm disease from the first dose.
Companion Care Animal Hospital carries Credelio Quattro in all sizes, and we can provide a discount code to give you the most favorable cost possible. It’s always best to obtain prescription medication from your pet’s veterinarian, so you know the product is legitimate and stored properly.
Here are five of Companion Care Animal Hospital’s dog-specific health articles. Knowing this information as we move into summer can help your whole family enjoy a healthy season.
Earth Day is April 22. After watching the Artemis II mission launch and return, we can all have a deeper appreciation for our home planet. Here are tips to help us celebrate our beautiful Earth.
Take a nature hike with your pet. The more we get out into nature, the more we appreciate our planet and want to care for it (just remember to leave no trace).
Take a walk and clean up a park. Your furry friend would certainly enjoy a stroll while you pick up litter. And, who knows, you might spark curious onlookers to join you.
Check out the National Park Service B.A.R.K. Ranger Program. It’s a great way to learn about safe travel with your pet in our national parks.
Donate gently-used bedding, blankets and toys to animal shelters. This is a great alternative to throwing things away when you buy new ones.
Participate in the Recycling Program offered by Animal Friends Humane Society in Hamilton. They accept items like aluminum cans, which help support pet care efforts. Learn more about the program.
The risk of heartworm infection can be right next door– at any time. Sadly, we encounter several common myths about this deadly parasitic infection that can put pets at risk. Here are the facts we want everyone to know
MYTH: Indoor pets don’t need prevention.TRUTH: Mosquitoes get indoors, slipping through screens and doors. One bite is all it takes, and indoor pets are still vulnerable.
MYTH: Only dogs get heartworm.TRUTH: Cats are also susceptible. While they are atypical hosts, they can suffer severe respiratory issues from immature worms, and there is no approved treatment for cats.
MYTH: You don’t need to worry about heartworms in the winter.TRUTH: Mosquitoes can emerge during winter warm-ups, and skipping doses can allow larvae to mature, making them more dangerous to treat.
MYTH: I’ll know if my pet has heartworms.TRUTH: Symptoms often don’t appear until the disease is advanced, causing permanent damage to the heart and lungs.
Heartworm “season” is year-round. To protect your pet (and others), give heartworm prevention year-round. This includes spring, summer, fall and winter. If you are in need of heartworm prevention, contact us.
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reports that 56% of dog owners have tried to help their dogs lose weight, but only 28% of those dogs achieved that healthy weight. For Canine Fitness Month, we want to discuss ways to help your dog get healthier!
First, What Does a Healthy Weight Look Like for a Dog?
The Body Condition Score is a general tool to assess your dog’s weight. It can help pet owners get a basic idea, although an examination by your veterinarian is important before deciding on any weight loss plan.
If you and your veterinarian have concerns about your dog’s weight, you’ll set a target healthy weight and weigh in at wellness appointments.
What Might Your Veterinarian Recommend for Weight Loss?
Depending on your dog’s size and overall health, your veterinarian may recommend any of the following:
How much to feed your dog each day (it’s probably less than you think).
Weigh your dog’s food instead of using a cup or scoop. Dog food calories are measured by weight, not volume. It’s easy to feed too much at mealtimes.
Feed your dog two or three small meals each day, instead of one larger meal.
Eliminate snacks, if possible. At least, limit snacks to healthy alternatives, like raw carrots and frozen green beans. Treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calories.
If needed, your veterinarian may recommend a specific low-calorie food.
Help your dog achieve about 30 minutes of daily activity, like walking, fetching or active play.
How Do I Help My Dog Become More Fit?
Many dogs are used to leisurely walks that don’t do much for fitness. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention suggests you work up to a 12 to 17-minute mile with most dog breeds. Here’s what they recommend.
Tips for a successful exercise walk
Start strong: Begin the walk at a brisk pace before your dog gets distracted by smells.
“Out” leg fast, “back” leg slower: Focus on moving briskly on the way out, then allow sniffing and exploring on the return.
Leash control: Keep the leash short, about 3–4 feet, and walk with your dog on your left side or away from traffic.
No retractable leashes: Use a standard leash for better safety and control.
Stay consistent: Don’t stop when your dog tries to pause or mark. Keep walking, tighten the leash slightly (no jerking), and use a simple command such as “Come” or “Here.”
Teaching your dog that this walk is for exercise, not just sightseeing, builds stamina, burns calories, and supports weight loss and overall health. Save casual sniffing for a separate walk or the return trip home.
Do you have questions about your dog’s weight or fitness level? Contact us.
