AC Pup is the mascot for Central Georgia CARES and promotes pet adoptions in the midstate. Click on the photos to view pictures of adoptable animals at midstate shelters.

It’s hot as blazes outside! I love the beautiful sunny days, but the temperature has been brutal! Can you imagine being in this Southern heat wearing a fur coat?

Now is the time to take extra measures to keep your pets from suffering serious heat-related issues. The heat can be deadly.

If there’s any way you can keep your pets inside, please do. Many of my friends have numerous pets and large pets, so bringing them inside is not always an option.

But there are things that can be done to try to minimize the effect of heat on your pets.

First, make sure they have plenty of shade all day long. Just because they’re in a shady spot in the morning doesn’t mean the same spot will be shady at three o’clock in the afternoon.

And make sure the surface they’re standing on is cool. Asphalt can quickly burn the pads of their feet.

Next, provide plenty of cool, fresh water several times a day every day. It would be great if you can devise a way for them to have access to constantly running cool water. Make sure they can reach the water, and secure the water bowl so it can’t be overturned.

Frequently check the temperature of the water, too. If it’s too hot, we won’t drink it!

Please don’t give them ice water though, because it might cause a problem for some pets. Some folks put a gallon jug of frozen water in a tub or wading pool to help keep the temperature even.

Having access to a mister would make pets happy, too. It sure works for the vegetables at the grocery store!

Now let’s talk about parked cars. Please, NEVER leave your pet in a parked car.

You’d think some things are just so obvious they’re not necessary to discuss, but apparently that’s not the case. You see, when we reached 108 degrees last Saturday, someone left a little dog in a parked car while she went inside shopping.

Thank goodness one of my Facebook friends saw this poor baby in serious jeopardy and took action. They got the distressed dog out of the car and inside the cool building while they waited for police to arrive.

Please leave your pets safely at home and not in the car during the summer. It’s too much of a risk even if you think you’re only going to be in the store for a minute.

In future columns, we’ll chat about more steps you can take to keep your pets protected from this deadly heat. In the meantime, please make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your pets cool.

Send questions for AC Pup to acpup247@yahoo.com. Visit www.acpup.com or see his Facebook page.