Summer Survival Tips: Caring for Pets and Strays in the Heat
- Aerial Design and Build
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
As the sun shines stronger across Europe, it’s not just us who feel the heat - our beloved cats, dogs, and the countless strays roaming the streets need our help too. Whether you share your life with an indoor pet or care for local street cats, summer safety is essential.
Here's your go-to guide for keeping all animals - at home and outdoors - safe, hydrated, and healthy this season.
For Indoor Pets: Keep It Cool and Comfortable
Cats & Dogs need cool corners:
Close blinds during peak heat hours (11am - 4pm)
Create cozy hideaways near fans or air-conditioned rooms
Lay out damp towels or cooling mats for them to lie on
Provide access to tiled or shaded areas they can escape to
Keep walks short and sweet for dogs. Avoid walking your pup on hot pavement—early mornings or late evenings are best.
Hydration is Non-Negotiable
Whether it’s your sofa-loving feline or a stray you’ve been feeding - fresh water saves lives.
Place multiple water bowls in shaded spots indoors and out
For stray cats or street dogs, refill bowls twice a day and place them in low-traffic areas
Freeze a water bottle and place it in a sock near their resting spot to help lower their body temp
Add water fountains or dripping taps for playful indoor cats who love moving water
Safe Summer Treats
Beat the heat with cool snacks:
For cats: Freeze tuna water or wet food in ice cube trays
For dogs: Mix broth with veggies or treats and freeze for a chew-safe “pupsicle”
Leave some frozen treats near feeding areas for strays - even a frozen bowl of wet food can help
Heatstroke: Know the Signs
Watch for these warning signs of overheating in any animal:
Heavy panting
Drooling
Lethargy or confusion
Vomiting
Bright red or pale gums
If you see this, act fast:
Move them to shade
Offer small sips of cool (not cold!) water
Dab their paws and ears with a damp cloth
Call a vet or animal welfare contact ASAP
Paw & Pavement Protection
If the ground is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws.
Walk dogs early or late, and never let cats walk on burning asphalt.
For strays, provide raised wooden pallets or cardboard pieces so they don’t have to lie on boiling surfaces.
Street Animal Support: How You Can Help This Summer
Stray animals suffer in silence under the Greek sun - but a little kindness goes a long way.
What you can do:
Leave water bowls in safe, shady public places
Put out food in the early morning or at sunset when it’s cooler
Offer shaded shelter (a cardboard box with holes, an old carrier, or a covered crate)
Use social media or contact your local group (like us!) if you see an injured or struggling animal
Trap-neuter-return (TNR) is one of the best long-term ways to help - ask us how to get started
Summer Boredom Busters
Animals don’t just suffer physically from heat - they get bored, too!
Cats: Set up perches near windows, give them cardboard boxes to hide in, and rotate toys
Dogs: Puzzle feeders and scent games indoors work wonders
Strays: A pile of donated toys or felt in a shaded area can bring enrichment to local street cats
Why It Matters
At Let’s be S.M.A.R.T., we believe every animal deserves a safe summer - whether they’re waiting for adoption in our sanctuary or living day to day on the streets. With small, simple acts of kindness, you can change a stray’s life this season.
How You Can Help This Summer
Donate: Help us buy fans, wet food, flea treatments & bottled water
Volunteer: Lend a hand at our sanctuary near Athens
Adopt: Offer a forever safe place during the hottest months
Spread the word: Share this blog with friends, neighbors, and travelers in Greece
Ready to make a difference?
Your compassion = their second chance.
Let’s be the change - let’s be S.M.A.R.T.
Adopt today - and be part of something extraordinary.
When you adopt from Let’s be S.M.A.R.T., you’re not just saving a life. You’re gaining a friend, supporting ethical rescue, and making room for more cats in need.
Follow us on social media for daily updates, adoption stories, and volunteer highlights!
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