Kind to your kurī – summer edition
Happy howlidays! This time of year is all about getting together and spending time with your whānau – that includes the fluffy ones with four legs! Rotorua Lakes Council’s Animal Control team has some advice to help the community and all its kurī have a safe and happy summer.
Top tips for walking dogs on a hot day:
It’s important to choosing the right time of day to walk your dog to avoid dehydration and heat stroke. It’s recommended that dogs are walked early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler.
It’s also important to consider the temperature of the footpath and road. If you can’t hold your palm to the ground for longer than 10 seconds without feeling the burn you may want to wait until it’s cooled down for the day.
Remember to have plenty of water ready for a thirsty dog, take it slowly and stop to enjoy the shade.
Where to walk
There are 23 areas across the district where dogs can exercise free of a lead as long as owners are still able to maintain control of their four-legged friends.
Click here for the full list of dog exercise areas including a map
There are also some areas where dogs aren’t permitted, even if they have a lead:
- The central business district (CBD) including the Government Gardens, Lakefront and Sulphur Point.
- Childrens’ play areas including playgrounds
- Smallbone Park
- Tihiotonga (Sloane Avenue Reserve)
- Southern end of Kuirau Park
Keeping yourself, your whānau and the community safe
During summer our streets are busier with people out and about enjoying their free time and the good weather.
- Check gates and fences to make sure dogs are secure on properties.
- Use a lead when you’re walking your pooch.
- Report roaming dogs or attacks to Council as soon as possible on 07 348 4199 (24/7)
- Bored dogs get up to mischief – ensure your pooch gets plenty of exercise to keep them out of trouble.
- The holidays are full of busy social functions – be aware that some dogs may not enjoy all the attention. If you can, leave your dog at home or make sure they have somewhere calm to escape to.
Our animal control staff are on-call 24 hours to respond to calls about dog attacks, dogs rushing at people, roaming dogs that have been secured, injured dogs, and wandering stock.
Phone 07 348 4199 to reach our Animal Control team.
Beat the heat
Dogs can easily suffer from dehydration and heat stroke during warmer weather. It’s important to ensure pets have access to plenty of fresh clean water at all times.
Have somewhere for dogs to cool off during the hot summer days. If you’ve got an outside doggo, ensure it has access to shade at all times of the day. If your doggo prefers to hang out inside, make sure there is plenty of ventilation and a cool spot in the house, and never leave a dog inside a car on a hot day.
If you’re taking your dog for a swim in a river or lake check the water before they go splashing in. Toxic algal blooms are more common in the warmer weather and can cause serious illness or death if dogs ingest them. For information about toxic algal blooms head to www.lawa.org.nz/learn/factsheets/toxic-algae
- If your pooch gets picked up
The animal pound will be closed from midday, Wednesday 20 December 2023 until 11.30am on Monday 8 January 2024. Collection of impounded animals can be arranged by appointment only. If your pooch gets picked up, give our team a call on 07 348 4199 to organise a time to bail them out.
Know before you go
If you’re heading out on a holiday adventure with your dog in tow, it’s good to do your research before you go.
- Some public spaces have different rules for dogs throughout the year. Check the Dog Exercise Areas on council’s website for dog-friendly spaces. If you're heading out of town, it's best to check the local council's information for their rules about dogs.
- Check Department of Conservation’s website for more info about dogs on beaches and conservation land.
Happy howlidays
We want you and your whānau to have a safe and happy summer. Here’s a few more tips to keep your four-legged family members cool, calm and collected:
- Plan ahead if you’re heading away – make sure you’ve got a dog-sitter or space booked at a kennel if you’re not taking your pooch on your trip. If your dog is going on holiday too, make sure it’s details are up to date with your local council, just in case it goes for a wander.
- Long coats can trap moisture and heat and make for a very unhappy doggo. Keep up the grooming throughout the summer months.
- Long grasses and prickles can get stuck in paws, between toes, in noses and ears during summer adventures. Give your dog a good look over once you get home from trips out and about.
- Christmas treats – it’s hard to say no to puppy
dog eyes but some foods can be toxic to pets. Avoid Foods to keep away from
Fido include, but are not limited to:
- raisins, sultanas and grapes
- cooked bones
- onion
- sweets, especially those containing chocolate or nutmeg
- avocado
The SPCA has compiled a great list of tips to with more information about keeping pets safe at Christmas time.