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July 2025 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
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Protect Your Pet During Fire Season Wildfire Ready
Few pet owners ever expect to have to abandon their homes to escape a wildfire. And those who do plan for a possible emergency sometimes fail to include their pets in their plan. With wildfire season upon us, this is a good time to recognize July 15 as National Pet Fire Safety Day. History has shown that the pets most likely to survive a fire are the ones whose owners understand the most common threats and do everything they can to guard against them. That includes networking with friends, family, and neighbors to help rescue your pets if you are away from home when a fire breaks out. More than 1,000 pets lost their lives in the 2021 Marshall Fire, the most destructive blaze in Colorado history. A major reason was that road closures, heavy smoke, or fast-moving flames prevented people from returning to their homes that afternoon to save their animals. Fortunately, some pets were rescued by neighbors or kind passersby who broke into their homes. RAISE YOUR FIRE IQ With 20-20 hindsight, pet-safety experts now recommend asking your neighbors for permission to enter their homes and rescue their pets in an emergency, and asking them to do the same for you. Here are a few additional ways to ensure your pets’ safety:
and names of the pets inside. And consider using apps designed to alert others to help during a pet emergency, such as PetNotify. Equip your pets with microchips and tags so they can easily be identified if they escape. A cat that managed
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“stop, drop, and roll.” To add a little levity to your emergency planning, consider training your dog to “stop, drop, and roll over” — not only for fire safety, but because it’s great training. Some people may roll their eyes at the idea, but look at it this way: Demonstrating your dog’s ability to respond to the “stop, drop, and roll” command will spark a few laughs at your next backyard barbecue! There are also two major benefits: Teaching your pet to respond to commands results in a better- trained dog, and a better-trained dog is a happier, healthier pet! Also, showing off your pet’s new trick to family, friends, and neighbors is certain to start a conversation about fire safety. And that can only be a good thing for us all. Our understanding of pet safety during wildfire season has grown. With this increase in knowledge of the dangers, let’s take advantage of the old and new tools available to us…before it is too late.
to flee its locked home during the Marshall Fire was badly burned, but it was saved by an area veterinarian and reunited with its owner via a microchip. Prepare an evacuation travel bag for your pet, including food, water, cat litter, litter box, leashes, harnesses, or carriers. To prepare for a possible evacuation, research to find pet- friendly hotels and motels along your likely departure route. Also, list friends, shelters, veterinarians, relatives, or boarding facilities that might care for your pet in an emergency. If you come to the aid of an animal that has been in or near a blaze, such as horses or livestock in a barn fire, note whether their fur is singed. If so, douse the area immediately with repeated cold-water baths. We often see the area beneath that singed fur continuing to burn until the animal is wet down and the temperature of the entire area is reduced.
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To alert rescue workers to your pets’ presence, place stickers provided by animal rescue organizations in windows near the doors of your home, showing the number
– Dr. Jeff
STOP, DROP, AND ROLL (OVER)! Some readers may remember being taught as a kid that if your clothing catches fire, you should
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3 National Parks That Are Worth the Detour DITCH THE TOURIST TRAPS Meet Hannah, Our New Kennel Tech! A Working Mom With a Small Zoo at Home
Whenever you hear a friend or family member say they’re going to take a road trip to visit some of America’s most beautiful national parks, they usually plan to visit the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains, or Yosemite. These national parks consistently attract millions of visitors every year, but they’re far from the only must-see national parks in the country. There are 429 protected national sites within the U.S., and 63 of those have obtained the official “national park” designation in their names. (The other labels are battlefields, historic sites, monuments, recreation areas, etc.) If you want to experience the beauty of America without the crowds, consider visiting these destinations during your next vacation! CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA Often referred to as the Galapagos of North America, the Channel Islands are a unique area off the coast of Southern California. While visiting, you can expect to see seals, island foxes, and over 2,000 other plant and animal species, with 145 found nowhere else on Earth . You can reach the mainland visitor center in Ventura by car, but the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats or private boats. Make reservations in advance. CUYAHOGA NATIONAL PARK, OHIO If you want a unique experience, visit Cuyahoga National Park. Like many other national parks, you can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and photography while exploring the park’s 33,000 acres. You can admire many of the 1,000 species of plants and animals throughout your exploration, but if you want to get the full experience, hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA Exploring a cave might not be your first thought when considering national parks, but Wind Cave is a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s one of the longest and most complex caves in the world and has many unique features, such as frostwork, cave popcorn, and boxwork, creating unique sights with every step. Once you head back outside, a beautiful mixed-grass prairie, home to bison, prairie dogs, and more, will greet you.
Animals are a major part of Hannah Woods’ life.
We welcomed Hannah as a kennel technician in March. She is training to become a veterinary technician, assisting our doctors with surgeries and administering medications. When this working mother of four goes home after work, she tends to even more animals! “I have a small zoo of my own,” Hannah says. She specifically means seven dogs, eight rescue cats, two turkeys, two ducks, and an adopted horse. “My kids made me a sign for Mother’s Day: ‘I have four kids and a small zoo’. I know what chaos is!” The mare has proven to be gentle, easy to ride, and comes running to a whistle. “We haven’t had any of the issues with her that the previous owners had.” Hannah grew up in Texas but spent summers as a teenager with her mother’s family in Cedaredge, where she enjoyed barrel racing and other gymkhana events. She moved here permanently in 2009 to raise her kids, now 11 to 16. Hannah co- founded a nonprofit animal rescue organization about 12 years ago and worked for a while at the local animal shelter. Asked what part of her job she enjoys most, Hannah says, “I love all of it. It’s a really great place to work and I enjoy learning as much as I possibly can.” Hannah looks forward to meeting all of the animals that come into the clinic. She has especially bonded with a lively border collie puppy who has melted her heart. As Hannah learns the ropes at our clinic, we are excited to see her take on a larger role in caring for our patients and clients.
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TOO HOT TO TROT
The Hidden Hazards of Pet Dehydration
As summer temperatures rise, the risk of dehydration increases for pets and humans alike. Pets’ bodies have a higher concentration of water than humans’, ranging from 70% to 76%, compared to about 60% for humans. In recognition of July as National Pet Hydration Awareness Month, now is a good time to think about preventing dehydration in your furry friends.
or hard stool. One way to check your pet for dehydration is to gently pinch the skin over the shoulder blades, lift it, and release. The skin should fall right back into place. If it remains erect and “tents” before falling back, your pet likely needs more fluids.
Dehydration can contribute to kidney problems, urinary tract infections, and heat stroke. In cats, it can cause blockage of the urinary tract, which can be deadly if not treated immediately. Symptoms include crying or howling, avoiding
Pets need water to keep their bodily functions working smoothly, transport nutrients and oxygen in the bloodstream, and regulate body temperature. A rough rule of thumb is that a dog needs about 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight. Cats typically need about 4 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight. Encourage your pets to drink by having multiple water bowls and cleaning and refilling them often. Offering a running water fountain can also entice pets to drink more. If you are concerned about dehydration, consider adding wet food to your pet’s diet.
the litter box or straining when using it, producing little or no urine, and excessive licking or grooming of the genitals. See a vet immediately if you notice any of these symptoms in your pet.
The best defense against dehydration is a good offense. Make a habit of carrying water on walks with your dog. Encourage your pets to drink, and watch their behavior carefully. Avoid exercising your pet or engaging them in active play during hot times of the day. Provide shade and rest breaks throughout the day. By being vigilant, your pet can stay
Watch for symptoms of dehydration, including dry gums, lethargy, sunken eyes, excessive panting, a loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation,
happy, healthy, and hydrated all summer long!
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UnNtiloFtiucrether Due to a staffing shortage, SCVC will be closed on Saturdays until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Clients Spreading the Word
Teresa Lang Kent & Anna Chavet Tanner Neil Julie Mottern Mark Vaniman
• At the time of scheduling a
dental or surgery appointment, a $250 deposit will be required. This deposit will be applied to the procedure bill. If you need to cancel the appointment, and you give us at least a 24-hour notice, the deposit will be refunded.
• Due to the increasing cost of
credit card processing, there is now a 3% service charge added to all clinic services and products. If paying with cash, check, or PIN debit, there is no charge.
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If a Wildfire Strikes, Will Your Pet Be Safe? inside this issue
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The Parks You’ve Never Heard Of (but Need to Visit)
For Our New Kennel Tech, Loving Animals Isn’t a Job — It’s a Mission!
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Hot Days, Thirsty Pets: How to Prevent Dehydration in Pets
New SCVC Policies
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Company Enlists Goats to Reduce Risk of Wildfires
GOATS ON THE JOB IN COLORADO Hooved Helpers Ward Off Wildfires NC aenwc eAl l aptpi ooni nPt mo leinc yt When you cancel with less than 24-hour notice, we now require a prepaid $50 deposit to reschedule. If you keep your rescheduled appointment, we will apply the deposit to your veterinary bill. If you miss your rescheduled appointment, the fee is nonrefundable.
When a Colorado wildfire threatened one of Lockheed Martin’s plants last summer, the big defense contractor decided they needed better fire protection measures. So, the company called in an unlikely emergency workforce — a battalion of 1,200 grazing goats. Lockheed contracted Goat Green, a local Colorado company, to put its herd of hungry Cashmere goats to work clearing 98 acres of wilderness terrain near the company’s worksite, which includes a $350 million satellite-manufacturing facility. The terrain is too steep and hazardous for machine clearing or human crews, but it posed little challenge to the goats. Their mission: to eliminate fuel for future fires and clear paths for firefighters, if needed. The goats could mow down an acre of land dense with plants and underbrush in a day, eliminating invasive vegetation and reducing the terrain to a nearly level, trimmed surface. The goats’
work also prevents overgrowth near powerlines, where fires often start. Lockheed embraced this unusual fire-protection strategy after last year’s 580-acre Quarry Fire came within a mile of the company’s Waterton aerospace facility near Littleton. Five firefighters were injured battling the blaze, which forced the evacuation of 600 homes and put thousands of Colorado residents on edge. Goat Green has contracted with parks, government agencies, municipalities, farms, ranches, and private land owners across 15 states to provide low-tech clearing services. The company’s workforce consists of 1,500 Cashmere goats native to the Himalayas and comfortable in cold, dry temperatures. Unlike most domestic goats destined for the slaughterhouse early in life, Goat Green’s employees work for about 12 years for as many as 265 days a year. Kids are born on the worksites
and learn to eat a wide range of weeds and forage as adolescents. These goats even have a retirement plan: After losing their teeth, they live out their final days in peace on a ranch. After a dozen wildfires in the last 10 years in the Littleton area, residents are bracing for another wildfire season. The area is a little bit safer this year, however, thanks to the goats. As one regional fire-protection official said on Facebook, “These goats are a wonderful partner to us.”
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