LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - As Labor Day weekend approaches, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding animal owners of the best ways to keep them safe.

MDARD offers the following tips to help protect your animals:

Keep vaccinations up to date to guard against diseases such as rabies and distemper.

Provide cool, clean, and fresh water at all times to prevent dehydration.

Avoid feeding animals human food, which can be harmful to their health.

Watch for signs of heat stress, such as excessive panting, drooling, or lethargy.

Stay away from harmful algal blooms (HABs) by keeping animals out of discolored or suspicious-looking water.

Ensure animals have proper identification, such as ID tags or microchips, in case they get lost.

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