SAFETY
TIPS FOR NEW RESIDENTSContacts
& Resources
Life in the Sonoran desert holds many pleasures, but it also presents some
unique challenges for us and our pets. As local animal rescue organizations,
we have dealt with and heard of many different situations involving pets.
As a result of our experiences, we have compiled these important tips to
help you and your pets adjust to life in the desert.
While living in the Sonoran desert is a delight, the environment can present
specific challenges to mammals such as our pets and ourselves. In an effort
to prevent you from learning from experience, we hope the following tips
will ease your transition into life as a member of the desert dwelling
community. We can all get along.
PREDATORS
In this area, we have a number of predators -- COYOTES, BOBCATS, OWLS,
and HAWKS --
that can prey on domestic pets. Wild animals are protective of their young
and will defend themselves if they feel threatened or provoked such as
being chased by a dog. Keep your dog on a leash at all times. Contrary
to popular belief, these attacks are not limited to the nighttime hours
and are not limited to small pets. Keeping dogs in a fenced or walled area
is desirable for this reason, although a small pet that is enclosed in
a yard may still be vulnerable to predators who can fly. An outside kennel
with a top and bottom connected to your house or garage with a doggie/cat
door can provide a safe area for your pets. Cats are much safer indoors.
Neutered pets are less likely to run away, making themselves vulnerable.
Predatory Animals- The desert holds a wide variety of carnivorous animals
including but not limited to bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, hawks and
owls. Being creatures of the wild we can and should expect them to avail
themselves of any and all susceptible creatures. Domestic animals are at
the top of the list due to their trusting and loving nature. All too often
pets are lost to the circle of life. To ensure your pet does not become
part of the food chain we must protect them in the many ways. Understanding
that interaction at any time between domestic and wild animals can be fatal,
we must be vigilant day and night. Always leash your dog. Any barriers
to your pets escape must also keep predators out. Flying predators pose
a threat to pets as large as fifteen pounds (surprising but true). A kennel
connected to your house by a doggie door should be enclosed both top and
bottom. Cats are safest indoors. Wanderlust is decreased by neutering and
so lessens the likelihood of a tragic runaway.
RATTLE
SNAKES can
also pose problems to our domestic animals. If you or your
pet spots a snake, don't try to deal with it yourself. Keep
pets far away from the snake. Rattlesnakes can lunge up to
one half their body length. Install hardware cloth where
you have gaps or openings in your fence and under gates to
help keep snakes out. Residents served by Rural Metro may
call them at (480) 945-6311 for snake removal. Snakes often
end up in garages, so keeping the garage door shut may help
keep them out.
If
you or your pet is bitten by a snake seek medical help immediately.
Snakes- With their ability to lunge up to half their body length snakes
pose a danger to all living creatures. Unless you are an expert, assume
any snake you encounter may be poisonous and keep your distance. Many an
inquisitive pet ends up bitten for their curiosity. You can enroll your
dog in "snake training" with a trainer who uses live snakes (dogs
react to the smell of a rattlesnake, not to its appearance or sound). Any
gaps or openings in fences or under gates must be closed off. Should a
snake be sighted, don't deal with it yourself. Residents serviced by Rural
Metro may call (480) 945-6311 for snake removal. In the event of a snake
bite, seek medical attention immediately. Do
not cut the bite, do
not apply a tourniquet, and never try
to suck out the venom.
DEER
TICKS are common here as
well. Check pets periodically for dark-colored "pea-like" pests
attached to your pet’s skin. Remove ticks with tweezers making
sure to get entire body and head out. You may want to drop
the ticks that you remove into alcohol—they are difficult
to kill. Infested pets should be taken to the veterinarian
to be tested for Tick Fever, a serious but usually treatable
disease.
Ticks-These parasites, often found in desert environments, can infect your
pet with Tick Fever, a treatable but nonetheless serious disease. Check
your pet from time to time for small dark round "beads" on their skin (commonly
located between toes, in ears, under armpits and along spine). Infested
pets should be tested for Tick Fever by your veterinarian.
SCORPIONS & SPIDERS
can sting or bite our pets indoors or outdoors. Contrary to common belief,
some cats will get quite sick when stung by a scorpion. If your pet is suddenly
vomiting, defecating uncontrollably, or acting strangely, seek medical attention.
Scorpion and Spiders- Unfortunately our pets can be subjected to bites
both in the house as well as out of doors. Dogs may act as if they have
been injected with fire, licking and biting the wounded area, trying to
ease the pain. With advise from a Veterinarian, Benadryl may help ease
the sting. Watch for symptoms of uncontrollable defecation, vomiting, or
any unusual behavior signaling the need for immediate medical attention.
SONORAN
DESERT TOADS (aka Colorado
River Toad) secrete from glands on their neck and limbs a
viscous, milky-white venom that is painful and extremely
toxic to our pets and humans. It can cause severe irritation
to the eyes and nose, foaming at the mouth, paralysis, seizures,
and even death. If you notice your dog, cat or young child
mouthing or playing with these toads, or showing signs of
staggering, or dilated eye pupils, carefully flush their
mouth thoroughly with water and seek immediate medical
care since heart irregularities often develop and can
result in death less than 30 minutes after exposure. These
toads are rather large with beady eyes and a flat broad head.
The skin is leathery, sparsely covered with pale orange
Sonoran Desert Toads (Colorado River Toads) when stressed, exuded a milky
white toxin from the glands at the back the neck and limbs that is extremely
toxic to our pets and humans. Symptoms may include irritation of eyes and
nose, foaming at the mouth, staggering, pupil dilation, paralysis, seizures,
rapid heart rate, high temperatures. Death can occur within thirty minutes.
Carefully flush the pets mouth out, controlling the flow of water so it
washes sideways, not down the throat, then seek medical help.
can
also pose problems to our domestic animals. If you or your
pet spots a snake, don't try to deal with it yourself. Keep
pets far away from the snake. Rattlesnakes can lunge up to
one half their body length. Install hardware cloth where
you have gaps or openings in your fence and under gates to
help keep snakes out. Residents served by Rural Metro may
call them at (480) 945-6311 for snake removal. Snakes often
end up in garages, so keeping the garage door shut may help
keep them out.