Keep Your Pets Safe During A Heat Wave

With the dangerous heat and humidity our region has been experiencing this week, we would like to take a moment to remind you of some pet safety tips to keep in mind. It’s important to keep your furry friends safe in this weather!

Hot Cars are Dangerous for Pets

Pet owners should not leave their animal in the car, even with the windows cracked the temperature can skyrocket to 120 degrees in a matter of minutes. Please remember this and never leave your pets in the car.

Provide Plenty of Cool Water

Make sure to give your pet plenty of cool water. You will probably need to fill up their water bowls more often on hot days. Try adding a few ice cubes to cool the water down.

Choose When to Exercise

Take your pet on walks early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid walking them in the midday heat. This will also help to keep you out of the dangerous weather.

Avoid Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a common problem for pets in the warmer weather. The heat mixed with humidity doesn’t allow them to properly cool off. Some types of dogs are more prone to heat stroke than others. If your dog has a short snout, they are more likely to suffer from heat stroke and you should watch them closely for the signs of heat stroke. Overweight pets, and those with a thick coat are also at an increased risk of heat stroke. Signs of heat stroke in animals are:

 Heavy panting and unable to calm down, even when lying down.

 Brick red gum color

 Fast pulse rate

 Unable to get up.

If you suspect that your pet has heat stroke contact your veterinarian immediately. Your furry friend is part of the family and needs to be cared for in this heat.

For more information pet owners can download the Red Cross Pet First Aid app for veterinary advice for everyday pet emergencies at their fingertips. The app features videos, quizzes and step-by-step advice on pet first aid.

New Regional Chief Executive Officer

American Red Cross Announces New Regional Chief Executive Officer
for the Central and Southern Illinois Region

The American Red Cross Central and Southern Illinois Region is pleased to announce the appointment of Lyn Hruska as the new Regional Chief Executive Officer for Central and Southern Illinois Region. Dawn Bozeman, Board Chair for the Central and Southern Illinois Region Board of Directors and Jane Weathers, Division Vice President for the American Red Cross North Central Division made the announcement on Friday, June 3, 2016.

“Lyn’s leadership skills, experience and the deep commitment to the mission of the Red Cross made her the obvious choice to step into the Regional CEO role,” said Bozeman. “Lyn’s passion for the Red Cross and her management style are going to build on the strong foundation of the Central and Southern Illinois Region.”

Hruska has more than 30 years of leadership experience including strategic planning, program management, fundraising and management of large and small teams. She has been with the Red Cross for nineteen years serving in various capacities, most recently as the Regional Chief Development Officer for the Central and Southern Illinois Region.

In her new role, Hruska will oversee 30 paid staff and more than 2,000 volunteers. The Central and Southern Illinois Region includes three chapters, and serves 78 counties (72 in Illinois, 4 in Missouri and 2 in Iowa) and a population of approximately 3 million people.

In addition to serving as the Regional CEO, Hruska will also serve as the Executive Director for the Central Illinois Chapter. She will transition to her new role with the Red Cross on Monday, June 27, 2016.

March is Red Cross Month

Since May of 1881, the American Red Cross has been a part of the lives of Americans, both those in need and those who wish to volunteer. In the past 135 years the Red Cross has had thousands of everyday heroes join it’s organization. It is because of that that in 1943 President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared March to be Red Cross Month, a tradition that has been passed down and continued by every President of the United States.

Red Cross volunteers are our everyday heroes. They are those who give life-saving blood for patients in need. They are those who the life saving skills taught in a Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid class to save the life of someone else. They are those who give assistance to people who have been affected by a disaster. They are those who actively seek to support our service men and women and their families. They are those who install smoke alarms in homes where there are none. They are those whose contributions to their community should not go unnoticed. Red Cross Month is about making sure we recognize these everyday Heroes.

The enthusiasm Red Cross Volunteers have for helping others in need is what makes the Red Cross such a great organization to work with. Everyone is working toward a shared goal: to prevent and alleviate human suffering.

This Red Cross month is the perfect time to become a Red Cross Volunteer. Please visit this website to learn about our volunteer opportunities or to become one of our everyday heroes. Or join our Home Fire Campaign.