Durham Animal Response Team - DART

08/05/2025

Come visit us and support community, connection, and safety at tonight's family-friendly event! Meet your local emergency responders, explore community resources, and enjoy food, games, music, and more.

🖍️We’ll have special DART themed coloring pages available at the event (sneak peek in the comments)! Whether you're 5 or 95, bring your creativity and be part of the colorful community spirit!

07/28/2025

As Connecticut enters a stretch of dangerously hot and humid weather, Governor Lamont has activated the state’s Extreme Hot Weather Protocol from Sunday, July 28 through the evening of Wednesday, July 30. Heat advisories and air quality alerts are in effect across many counties, with real-feel temperatures expected to reach 100°F or higher.

While these alerts are crucial for public health, they’re just as important for our pets, who often suffer silently during extreme weather conditions.

At Pieper Veterinary, we want to make sure your furry family members stay safe, hydrated, and cool during this heat wave. Here's what Connecticut pet owners need to know:


☀️ Heat Dangers for Pets
Extreme temperatures can quickly become dangerous for animals, especially:

-Dogs with flat faces (like pugs or Frenchies)
-Elderly pets or very young puppies/kittens
-Pets with respiratory or heart conditions
-Thick-coated breeds and overweight pets
-Even a short walk on hot pavement or too much sun can lead to heatstroke, burned paw pads, or respiratory distress.


🐾 Pet Safety Tips During a Heat Wave

-Avoid outdoor activity during peak hours (10 a.m.–6 p.m.)
-Keep walks short and stay on shaded or grassy surfaces
-Never leave pets in cars, even for a few minutes
-Offer plenty of cool water - consider ice cubes as treats!
-Watch for signs of heat exhaustion: heavy panting, drooling, unsteadiness, or vomiting

If you think your pet may be suffering from heatstroke, treat it as an emergency. Call or head directly to our 24/7 Emergency Hospital at Pieper Memorial in Middletown.

Stay cool, stay safe, and give your pets some extra love (and ice cubes) this week!

—The Pieper Veterinary Team

07/19/2025

Come to Durham for the Town Wide Tag Sale!!!
8:30-2:30.

07/11/2025

Maps are ready for our Saturday 7/19 Tag Sale. You can pick up maps at Main St Feed.

07/04/2025

Annual reminder! Don't risk it! Keep your pets at home and comfortable so that everyone can have a safe and enjoyable holiday BUT in the event that something happens unexpectedly, be sure to make sure their ids/collars are on, gps trackers are charged, gates are closed, pets are exercised and tired out earlier in the day and have an updated picture just in case! More dogs and pets go missing on this day than any day of the year! I've been there and wouldn't wish that worry on anyone! Be safe! Happy 4th of July! But let's get some dogs adopted before the fireworks!

07/04/2025

Please keep all your pets secure heading into the weekend!

💡🎆🇺🇸 Tuesday Tip 🇺🇸🎆💡

# Important Safety Reminder for Dog Owners This Season

This season is especially busy for our volunteers, as the number of lost dogs tends to spike during the summer months.

As we approach the **4th of July** 🇺🇸🎆, we want to stress the importance of keeping your dogs leashed at all times. Please refrain from leaving them outside unattended or without a leash. Your dogs are relying on you for their safety.

# # Fireworks Safety for Your Dogs

Please **DO NOT** bring your dog to any events where fireworks 🎇 will be happening.

Ensure that they have a safe and secure space inside your home. Close the shades and consider playing calming music or turning up the television to help mask the sound of the fireworks. Additionally, keep your windows closed to prevent any chance of them jumping through the screen.

Enjoy the summer and the holiday weekend. Keep your pets safe! They are depending on you. 🐾

06/24/2025

Pet owners, take notice! We’re looking at record high temps over the next few days, and many of our pets will be at risk of deadly heatstroke! ☀️🌡️

🐾Any dog can get heatstroke, but if any of the following factors apply to your dog, they are at higher risk:
-Overweight
-Brachycephalic (short-nosed like pugs, bulldogs)
-Long/thick fur
-Seniors or young puppies
-Large/giant breeds
-Pre-existing medical conditions (especially cardiac or respiratory problems)

Symptoms of heatstroke include: rapid breathing (hyperventilation), red gums/tongue, excessive or frothy drool, vomiting/diarrhea, tremors, loss of balance, and collapse. Pets with these signs should go to the closest ER immediately - heatstroke is FATAL if not treated. For more information, visit https://www.pieperveterinary.com/blog/preventing-heatstroke/

Please be careful this week - provide lots of shade and water, limit exercise to short outings at dawn and dusk, and DO NOT leave your dog in your car! Being informed and knowing the signs is the best way to keep your pets healthy. Stay safe! 🐶

06/22/2025

Day 2 of our Rabies Vaccination Clinic until 12pm! Hope to see you there!

All towns welcome.

06/14/2025

🏷️🏷️Join us for our Town Wide Tag on July 19th. 🏷️🏷️

Want your home included on the map?
🌸 Fill out form below.
🌸 Drop off form at Brenda's Main Street Feed, with cash or a check for $20 made out to D.A.R.T or Durham Animal Response Team. Memo line: Tag Sale
🌸 FORMS MUST BE RECEIVED BY July 1, FOR LISTING ON MAP (no refunds after July 2)
🌸 For more info: call 860-349-0410

06/01/2025

Today’s the day!!! Stop by until noon to update your pet’s rabies vaccination.