August 31, 2026
Jacksonville heat and your cat
August in Jacksonville does not let up. Asphalt stays hot. Cars turn into ovens. Even a short dash across a parking lot can burn paws or overheat a cat. Indoor life is not a luxury here. It is safety.
Keep water easy to find.
One bowl is not enough in a house with several kitties. Fresh water in more than one room, and a little shade near the windows they love, goes a long way. If your cat suddenly pants, drools, or seems wobbly, that is an emergency. Get to a 24 hour hospital. Do not wait for a shelter to reply.
Never leave a cat in a parked car.
Not for a quick errand. Not with the windows cracked. Heatstroke can happen fast, and shelter cats who just found a home deserve a boring, cool ride, not a scare.
Screens, doors, and a pause at the threshold help.
Lots of kitties will bolt if a door opens and a lizard runs by. A second of looking before you step out keeps them out of traffic and off hot pavement. If you do want outdoor time later, a catio or a harness is safer than unsupervised roaming.
Hot weather also means fleas, ear mites, and skinny strays.
That is part of why kitten season feels so heavy right now. If you can help us get better equipped for the babies and young cats we see on the streets, a small gift on our Donate page goes to food, flea care, and vet visits.
Mostly, keep your own kitties cool, watered, and inside. That is one of the kindest things you can do in a Jacksonville August.