RALEIGH-- As we are doing everything to avoid the heat, we cannot forget about our pets. Wake County Animal Shelter Director Dr. Jennifer Federico says some basic safety guidelines include not leaving pets in the car and making sure they have shade.

"If they're outside, you need to make sure they have shade. And watch your yard, because as you know, the sun moves during the day and so does the shade. You always want them to have a nice place to lay down. And obviously water at all times," she says.

Federico says there are several things regarding pet safety that people may not think about.

"You can trim down your long coat breeds, but you don't want to shave them because that's their protection from the sun as well. You don't want to give them a sunburn so just be careful about how much hair you are taking off of them in the summer," she says.

Federico says to limit your pet's exercise to the early morning and late evening. She says be cautious of where you walk with your pets, as the asphalt can burn their paws.