As temperatures rise and summer adventures call, the TurfMutt Foundation, which champions healthy outdoor spaces for people and pets, encourages pet parents to keep safety in mind to ensure happy tails all summer long.
“Mulligan the TurfMutt and I really enjoy the dog days of summer,” says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation. “But from unexpected storms to scorching pavement and even the choices we make in our backyards, a little preparation goes a long way in making sure our fur friends stay safe this summer.”
The TurfMutt Foundation shares these crucial tips:
• Storm Smarts
Storms can be scary for pets. Always have a safe, quiet space for them indoors, and ensure their ID tags and microchip registration are current. It’s also smart to pack a pet emergency kit packed in case you need to evacuate. Include medications, water, food, waste bags, and anything else you might need to make your pet feel comfortable.
• Beat the Heat
Always provide plenty of fresh water and shade, and a spot indoors for them to cool off during extremely hot days. Choose the cooler parts of the day to walk your dog and check the pavement temperature before heading out. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws.
• Travel Ready
Planning a trip and want to take Fido along? A crate is the safest option in a car, and it should be big enough for your pet to stand, sit and turn around. Never leave your pets in a hot car. Bring everything they need to stay healthy and comfortable – from food and leashes to medication and favorite toys.
• Right Plant, Right Place
Your backyard is your pet's playground, so plant with care. Choose non-toxic vegetation and always opt for real grass over artificial turf. Natural turf stays cooler under the summer sun, is gentler on paws, and provides vital environmental support. For more, consult the ASPCA’s list of toxic and non-toxic plants here.
Check out the TurfMutt Foundation’s International Backyarding Fact Book to learn more about the power of parks and other green space around us. Sign up for Mutt Mail, a monthly e-newsletter with “backyarding” tips and all the news from the TurfMutt Foundation here.
About the TurfMutt Foundation
TurfMutt, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2024, was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators and families since 2009. Championed by Foundation spokesdog, Mulligan the TurfMutt, and through education partners such as Scholastic, Discovery and Weekly Reader, TurfMutt has taught students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” Today, TurfMutt is an official USGBC® Education Partner and part of their global LEARNING LAB. TurfMutt has been an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. TurfMutt’s personal home habitat was featured in the 2017-2020 Wildlife Habitat Council calendars. In 2024, the Great Lawn at Louisville’s award-winning Waterfront Park on the Ohio River was renamed the TurfMutt Foundation Great Lawn as part of a $1 million sponsorship. More information at www.TurfMutt.com.
