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Many, many animals need a helping hand and that's what we are here for. Trinity County Animal Control is run through the Trinity County Sheriff's Department so if you think an animal is in trouble please call 530.623.2611 and dial the option to speak to a deputy. We can help you with many different problems such as animal abuse, being bitten by an animal, animals harassing your livestock and much more.
Despite what Google says, the Animal Shelter is not Animal Control. The only assistance you can get from the shelter in terms of animal control is taking your message and recommending you to call the Sheriff's Department if you want anything done about your call. The shelter staff can only help you with animal adoptions, issuing dog licenses and renting out cat traps (traps are not used for wildlife). If you need assistance with wildlife such as an injured deer or a skunk trapped in your cat trap, please contact Fish and Wildlife. If the wildlife has bitten somebody, please contact the sheriff's department to report it as the bite victim will need to seek medical attention just to be safe of rabies as we are a very rabid county. |
CONTACT ANIMAL CONTROL
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Phone: 530.623.2611 (Choose the option to report a crime) Fax: 530.623.8180 Send mail to: Animal Control P.O. Box 1228 Weaverville, CA 96093 |
Report in person: Trinity County Sheriff's Department 101 Memorial Dr. Weaverville, CA 96093 Email: [email protected] |
Weather and Your Pets
WALKING YOUR DOG
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When you have an outdoor or indoor / outdoor pet, one thing to keep in mind is the weather outside. If it is warm out, it may not be a good idea to take your dog for a walk or to leave them in the car.
To test if it is safe to walk your dog, lay the back side of your hand on the pavement and count for 7 seconds. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog's paws. Dog paw pads can easily be burnt if they walk on hot cement or asphalt so it is always a good idea to be sure it will be safe for your pet. |
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If you walk your dog on asphalt when it is only 77° outside, then they are walking on ground that is about 125°. If they stand still for just a little bit on that hot ground, their paw pads can burn within a minute and can be very painful for them to walk on. At higher temperatures, it is even more dangerous for the health of their paws. At just 135°, you can cook an egg on the ground surface in just 5 minutes! Would you want to cook your feet too? If you wouldn't want to, we don't think your dog would like it any better.
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Outside Temperature77°
86° 87° 102° |
Asphalt Temperature125°
135° 143° 167° |
Here are a few things you can do to help protect your dog's feet if you really want to walk them when it's warmer weather:
Invest in a pair of dog shoes. Depending on the quality, brand and the store you buy them from, dog booties or dog shoes can cost anywhere from $5 to $25. They work just like human shoes to help prevent injury to the dog's paw pads and feet. They are the best solution to help your dog enjoy their walk on happy paws.
Avoid walking in the middle of the day. It is best to walk in the early morning or late evening when it's cooler and the pavement is not so hot than to walk in the middle of the day when the ground is like walking on a hot stove.
Walk your dog in the grass or dirt rather than cement or asphalt. Grass and dirt is a lot cooler than man made cement and asphalt and your dog will be very grateful to walk on those instead of the intense heat of cement or asphalt.
Try using a topical product to help toughen your dog's paw pads. There are some products available that puts a layer of protection over your dog's paws. A couple of products you can try are Musher's Secret and Tuf-Foot.
As you continue to walk your dog throughout the seasons, their paw pads will naturally toughen up but it takes time. This doesn't mean you don't have to monitor your dog's paw pads but it is a good idea to check once a week or so.
Invest in a pair of dog shoes. Depending on the quality, brand and the store you buy them from, dog booties or dog shoes can cost anywhere from $5 to $25. They work just like human shoes to help prevent injury to the dog's paw pads and feet. They are the best solution to help your dog enjoy their walk on happy paws.
Avoid walking in the middle of the day. It is best to walk in the early morning or late evening when it's cooler and the pavement is not so hot than to walk in the middle of the day when the ground is like walking on a hot stove.
Walk your dog in the grass or dirt rather than cement or asphalt. Grass and dirt is a lot cooler than man made cement and asphalt and your dog will be very grateful to walk on those instead of the intense heat of cement or asphalt.
Try using a topical product to help toughen your dog's paw pads. There are some products available that puts a layer of protection over your dog's paws. A couple of products you can try are Musher's Secret and Tuf-Foot.
As you continue to walk your dog throughout the seasons, their paw pads will naturally toughen up but it takes time. This doesn't mean you don't have to monitor your dog's paw pads but it is a good idea to check once a week or so.
LEAVING YOUR ANIMALS IN THE CAR
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Leaving your animals in the car during any time of the year, summer especially, is never a good idea. Depending on the temperature outside, your car can either become an oven or a freezer. During winter, the temperature in the car quickly lowers to the same temperature as it is outside. During the summer, the air inside can heat dramatically in a matter of minutes and cook your animal(s). Dr. Ernie Ward is a veterinarian who best explains being a pet in the car with his YouTube video where he sat in a car for 30 minutes.
If you have absolutely no choice at all to leave your pet at home and must bring them with you when you go out and about, here are some things we recommend: Drive throughs are very convenient! Many businesses now-a-days have drive throughs including fast food, coffee shops and pharmacies. Bring a friend! If you have another person with you, they can sit in the car with the pet or play with the pet outside of the car, in the shade, while you run your errand. Use pet-friendly stores. Many businesses are surprisingly pet friendly and let you bring your furry friend into their store so long as they are well behaved and on a leash. Before entering a business though, make sure you double check there aren't any "No Pets" or "No Pets Except Service Animals" signs around their front doors. Good rule of thumb is if they sell food, you most likely can't bring your pet inside. (Emotional Support Pets are NOT Service Animals) |
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Outdoor patios are a common place at a lot of fancier restaurants and they usually allow you to have your pet tied to the table as you sit outside and eat. It doesn't hurt to ask! (Don't forget to ask for a bowl of water for your pet to have while they wait for you though.)
WAYS TO KEEP YOUR DOG COOL DURING THE SUMMER
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There are occasions where people have no choice but to leave their dogs out in their yard during the summer months due to things such as school, work or shopping trips and we understand that. So, here are some tips to help keep your canine cool while you're out.
Make sure they have plenty of water. When it's hot, everyone needs water. Make sure your pet has lots of clean water left in a shady area for them to have access to. More than one large dish of water or even a large bucket they are tall enough to reach would be perfect. Lots of dogs love kiddie pools. Many stores carry kiddie pools including some hardware stores during the summer and are fairly cheap at around ten to twenty dollars depending on what size and the store you go to. You don't have to fill it up entirely but having maybe around six inches or so would make your dog very happy. |
Frozen summer treats. There are many different recipes that you can find online of summer treats your dogs to enjoy and help keep them cool. One easy doggie popsicle recipe is to just grab a doggie dish, poor a can or two of chicken stock in it and fill the rest with water. Put some treats or toys inside the dish and stick it in the freezer.
A misting system. It may be a little more expensive than our other listed methods but your dog will very much appreciate it. Different brands of a misting system can cost anywhere from ten to fifty dollars depending on where you buy and the quality of the system. Don't forget you might want to also pick up a hose timer for the misting system unless you don't mind your water being on the entire time you're gone.
Shade screen, sun sail, mesh tarp or pop up tent. The more shade your pup has to protect them from the sun the better. Trees can take a very long time to grow to provide shade so this might be a quicker option if you're looking for something now. Sun sails or tarps can cost anywhere from 15 to 60 dollars, again, depending on quality, brand and the store. Popup tents can be an upwards of 100 dollars or more.
A misting system. It may be a little more expensive than our other listed methods but your dog will very much appreciate it. Different brands of a misting system can cost anywhere from ten to fifty dollars depending on where you buy and the quality of the system. Don't forget you might want to also pick up a hose timer for the misting system unless you don't mind your water being on the entire time you're gone.
Shade screen, sun sail, mesh tarp or pop up tent. The more shade your pup has to protect them from the sun the better. Trees can take a very long time to grow to provide shade so this might be a quicker option if you're looking for something now. Sun sails or tarps can cost anywhere from 15 to 60 dollars, again, depending on quality, brand and the store. Popup tents can be an upwards of 100 dollars or more.
If you know of any other ways to help keep your pets at an optimal temperature while they're outdoors, please let us know so we can add it to our list. We are very heartbroken when we hear stories of dogs being left outside in the sun / snow or walking on a hot day and end up with badly burnt paws, heat stroke or even death. Taking any precautions that you can to keep your pet safe from the weather is the best way to ensure their health. If you have any medical questions or concerns, please contact your local vet as the Animal Shelter cannot give medical advice, including in the event of an emergency.
WINTER COLD AND SNOW
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Just like the extreme weather of heat, cold can also be harmful to your pet's health. Leaving them in the car while the outside air is at low temperatures or snowing, walking them in snow or ice and leaving them outdoors while you are away from the house in extreme weather can have dramatic effects on their immune system and can give them frostbite. Providing shelter can help when they're outside but taking more than one measure to keep them warm would be beneficial to their health. There are, however, several breeds of dog that love the cold and would rather be outside than by a fireplace. Here we provide a helpful list of tips to keep your pet happy and healthy in the winter as it is always a good idea to make sure your pet has everything they need to warm up if they feel the need to.
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Provide shelter. Even if your dog or cat is loving the snow, it is always a good idea to make sure they have a dry spot free from the wet and cold. It is best if it has solid sides to block wind and is waterproof.
Heated water dish. Many pet stores sell dog and cat dishes that plug into a wall socket to keep the water from freezing. In low temperatures, this is always a good investment for your pet. A warm bed. An elevated bed off of the cold ground is best. They can snuggle in blankets, a dog or cat bed or even dry straw to keep themselves warm. Pet stores also sell outdoor animal heating pads but make sure your pet doesn't chew it up! Dog or cat jacket. Some dogs and cats don't mind having an extra jacket over their fur-coat and some can't stand them. You can check with your vet to see if it would be recommended for your pet when they are outside to give them a little extra insulation.
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Many owned cats are outdoor cats and would rather be exploring the world rather than sleeping on a couch. This is fine for felines even when it gets cold outside. Outdoor cats acclimate to the temperature as Summer turns to Fall and Fall to Winter. If you do not bring your cats inside at night it is always best to make sure they have somewhere warm to bed down. A waterproof container of some kind with a blanket, cat bed or an outdoor cat heating pad would be perfect for them. Don't forget that cats will find warmth within the engine and under carriage of cars so to make sure there are no cats hiding under your hood, pound on it to scare them out. Starting a car and driving with them in the mechanics can badly injure them.
****If it gets 32° F / 0°C or below, it would be highly recommended to bring cats and dogs indoors as it is starting to get too cold for them to stay outside.****
****If it gets 32° F / 0°C or below, it would be highly recommended to bring cats and dogs indoors as it is starting to get too cold for them to stay outside.****
HEALTH WARNING SIGNS
****The Trinity County Animal Shelter is not a veterinarian clinic and cannot provide medical advice, please contact your local vets if you feel your pet needs medical attention****
Below we have listed some signs your pet's health may be in danger because they are too cold.
Please get them some place warm and check with your vet if they might need medical help.
Below we have listed some signs your pet's health may be in danger because they are too cold.
Please get them some place warm and check with your vet if they might need medical help.
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****Regardless of the warning signs we have listed or any other information provided on this page, if you are concerned with your pets health, please get it to a veterinarian to make sure they are not in danger!****
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Trinity County Animal Shelter
530.623.1370 570 Mountain View St. P.O. Box 1228 Weaverville, CA 96093 |
Hours of Operation
Tues, Thurs, Fri and Saturdays from 12 noon to 4pm Closed Sun, Mon, Wed and all holidays |
Animal Control Contact
530.623.2611 Trinity County Sheriff's Department P.O. Box 1228 101 Memorial Dr. Weaverville, CA |
