1. Make sure your pet is microchipped

Summer invites free-roaming playtime for Fido, which unfortunately exacerbates the likelihood that he could stray too far from home while chasing that runaway kite. Microchipping acts as a high-tech form of insurance that your four-legged family member can be safely reunited should you become separated. Not all microchip scanners read all microchips, however. So before having the chip implanted, be sure to check with your local animal shelters to ensure that the type of microchip your vet is implanting is compatible with their scanners.

2. Be protective poolside

Don't assume that your dog will take like a duck to water. Not all pooches are natural swimmers, so keep close watch over your dog as he's lounging by the pool or lakeside.

RELATED: Natural Flea Prevention and Treatment

Pool water is also a far from nourishing way to relieve your pet's thirst, as it contains chlorine and other chemicals that can cause stomach upset--be sure to keep plenty of fresh drinkable water nearby.

3. Heat protection

The danger of heat without sufficient relief to your pet is a real one. A dog, for instance, can withstand an elevated body temperature for only a brief time before suffering nerve damage, heart problems, liver damage, brain damage, or even death.

Possibly nowhere are dogs so endangered by the heat as when trapped inside a car. A study by Stanford University found that even on a mild 72-degree (Fahrenheit) day, the internal temperature of a car can skyrocket to a suffocating 116 degrees within an hour, even with windows cracked for ventilation. On an 85-degree day, a mere 10 minutes is necessary for the temperature inside a car to soar to 102 degrees, and 30 minutes for the thermometer to hit 120 degrees. The website MyDogIsCool.com allows you to type in your zip code to find out if it's too hot in your area to take Rover on the road with you.

Even when your dog is comfortably placed outside the car, the heat can still catch up with the most energetic of pooches. So give your pet extra water when temps are topping 80 degrees and make sure Fido has a place of respite in the shade at all times when out and about.

And when you're pounding the sun-baked pavement in your sandals, don't neglect your dog's tender, heat-sensitive paws, which can burn easily on hot asphalt and concrete. You may consider buying protective canine shoes if you can't confine your pooch's playful footsteps to the cooler grass.

Pets are also susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, so keep any workouts to the cooler early morning and evening hours on days that get your sweat on before you even get going. Signs of heat stress include heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid heart rate, unsteadiness, vomiting, and a deep red or purple tongue.

And remember that pets can sunburn too. Sun-sensitive doggie noses and ear tips warrant pet-friendly sunscreen protection. Felines fond of windowsill perches can also benefit from sunscreen on their ear tips.

4. Thunderphobia

Fear of thunder and loud summer sounds (such as 4th of July fireworks), otherwise known as thunderphobia, can take even the bravest of pets by surprise and send them hiding under the covers. To combat stress occasioned by the sounds of patriotic fervor and nature alike, consider the following tips from Dr. Debra Horwitz, veterinarian and canine-behavior expert:

RELATED: Summer Safety Tips For Your Dog

1. Divert your doggie's attention with something more exciting, such as a new toy or a toss of their favorite ball.

2. Reassure without rewarding negative behavior: Be careful not to reinforce the thunderphobia at hand through well-intentioned sympathetic behavior, such as petting. This can make your dog feel like there really is something to fear. Instead, use a happy, energetic tone of voice and engage in playful movements that pair these frightening noises with positive, engaging behavior.

3. Desensitize: Anything, even the boom of fireworks and thunder, becomes less frightening with familiarity. So familiarize your dog and gradually desensitize him or her to its shock value with an audio recording of the fearful sound. Start by playing the recordings fairly softly, and then gradually increase the volume as your pooch reacts less and less to the noise.

Homeopathic remedies are also widely available, increasingly popular, and have shown promising results among some of the shyest of dogs when thunder strikes. Many guardians of thunderphobic pooches swear by Rescue Remedy, one of the Bach Flower remedies known for treating stress and anxiety in dogs. And calming collars containing aromatic herbs such as lavender and mint can assuage the fears of some of the most high-strung of canines. Anxiety wraps, such as the Thundershirt (Thundershirt.com), mimic the swaddling sensation for your furry friend; the light pressure has a calming effect. Before beginning a homeopathic or prescribed regimen, however, it's always best to consult your veterinarian.

5. Flea and Tick Bites

Pets and pests intermix in the summer all too frequently for anyone's liking, especially if your dog is one of the millions of four-footed citizens with flea or tick allergies. Products designed to keep your pet flea- and tick-free run the gamut from sprays to collars to shampoos to ingestible tablets. Herbal remedies also pose an earth-friendly, nonchemical solution to one of nature's biggest summertime annoyances. Herbal flea collars featuring various scents designed to repel fleas are widely available. Keeping your pet regularly and closely groomed also helps to eliminate the possibility that fleas and ticks have a safe place to hide.

If you notice red welts on your pet's skin post flea or tick encounter, immediately clean the lesions with an antiseptic cleanser such as witch hazel and then apply triple antibiotic ointment. You may also want to make a visit to the vet to ensure that your four-legged friend doesn't have a secondary infection.

6. High-Rise Syndrome

Doggie summer revelers may encounter the threat of ticks and fleas at picnics, but felines face their own unique summertime danger at home. With climbing temperatures naturally come open windows, often unscreened to facilitate fresh breezes the more easily.

RELATED: How To Prevent Heat Stroke in Pets

Open windows can also be an invitation to your cat, however, to leap before looking, a phenomenon so widespread that it has been dubbed by veterinarians as High-Rise Syndrome.

Contributing to the prevalence of this syndrome is the fact that window surfaces are often difficult for cats to cling to and cats can become distracted while gazing outside, lose their balance, and fall. In contrast to the common supposition that cats always land on their feet, felines can easily lose their balance and experience pelvis and head injuries from falls. They can also become injured just as easily from short as from long falls, as shorter distances give cats less time to adjust their body position.

To protect your cat from life-threatening falls this summer, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends taking the following precautions:

- Install tightly fitting and sturdy screens in all of your windows.

- Make sure that adjustable screens are wedged snuggly into window frames.

- Don't rely on childproof window guards to keep Fluffy from jumping or slipping.

BEAVER FEVER

Two adorable beaver kits are blossoming at the Drusillas Park Zoo in the U.K. The babies are both doing very well, and are the first of their kind to be born at the zoo in over 20 years. So adorable!

BOOT CAMP BARKS

At the Churchill Insurance Doggy Boot Camp at Battersea Dogs and Cats home in London, dogs celebrate the sponsorship of ITV's "Animal Heroes." A Terrier-like dog and Poodle are pictured looking adorable for the camera.

PARCHED PUPPY

Tyson the English Bulldog drinks water from a fountain in Frankfurt, Germany. Cute!

MY BAGGIE

In Texas at the Gladys Porter Zoo, a black-and-white ruffed lemur holds onto a brown paper bag filled with goodies.

NO MONKEY BARS?

At the Taronga Zoo in Australia, Lima the Siamang ape baby has some fun investigating a rope.

EYE SEE YOU

A beautiful gerenuk baby has been welcomed at the Phoenix Zoo in Arizona. A gerenuk is a type of antelope native to Africa.

HARPY AND HAPPY

Panama the harpy eagle is seen at the Zoo Summit in Panama. The 3-year-old eagle was given as a present to the zoo, as the harpy eagle is Panama's national bird.

SPINY SWEETIE

A rare spiny turtle hatches at the Chester Zoo in the U.K. This is a rare turtle species, and the first ever to be bred in the U.K.

QUITE THE CUTIE

In Tucson, Arizona at the Reid Park Zoo, Amalia the guanaco is spending time getting to know her keepers before being introduced to her exhibit in a few weeks. Isn't she adorable?

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE

Zookeepers were taken by surprise when 20-year-old female gorilla, N'Gayla, delivered baby twins at the Royal Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem, Netherlands. The keepers knew N'Gayla was pregnant, but were not expecting her to deliver until later in the summer ... and were definitely not expecting twins. They're adorable!

THIS LILY PAD IS FOR SITTING

An adorable ducking sits on a lily pad in a pond in Hanover, Germany.

STRIPES FOR DAYS

A baby Pacific white-sided dolphin swims right next to its mother at the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise Aquarium near Tokyo, Japan. Aww!

SWEET SPHYNX

A Sphynx cat named Amharas Mira is judged during an international cat and dog exhibition in Erfurt, Germany. The event consisted of around 150 cats.

ELEPHANT PLAY TIME

Keepers play with an elephant in the river at the Kuala Elephant Conservation Center in Kuala Gandah, Pahang.

POLICE POOCH

Officer Nelson Hernandez pets Geo the police dog after receiving his graduation medal during a canine graduation ceremony at the Grand Central Terminal in New York City on Friday, June 14. Congratulations, Geo!

PRICKLY BUT PERFECT

Actress Pauley Perrette holds a hedgehog while attending the Los Angeles Zoos' 43rd annual Beastly Ball.

SEALED WITH CUTENESS

A sea lion pup has been welcomed into the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, N.Y. This is the 18th baby born at the zoo this year. So cute!

RATMAN

Sonu Sharma plays with rats at his residence in Ahmedabad, India. Sonu has been nicknamed the Ratman, and has more than 50 rats.

Wolfe was traveling from Alaska to Colorado last fall with her dog, Nahla, when she stopped in Seattle, Wash., to visit some friends. The group went out for drinks at a bar, but Wolfe was not allowed to enter the establishment with Nahla. She was told she could tie the dog up outside as many other patrons frequently did. She was wary to leave Nahla alone, but without other options, she did so. Wolfe had been right to be wary, because Nahla was indeed stolen.

Wolfe had been concerned about Nahla's safety at the bar, and walked outside to check on the dog every 10-15 minutes, often accompanied by a group of other patrons who went outside to smoke. "There were eight or nine people," Wolfe said. "Every time I saw someone in the bar get up, I'd get up and go out there with them. Everyone seemed very nice. I was telling everyone about her and trusting them."

But Wolfe's nervous instincts sadly turned out to be correct. According to the Examiner, the group of smokers left the bar at 8:15 p.m. When Wolfe went out to retrieve Nahla at 8:20, the dog was gone.

Wolfe spent the next eight months looking for Nahla. Like many people who lose their pets, she started a Facebook page devoted to finding the dog.

Meanwhile, Wolfe focused much of her efforts on identifying and searching for the smokers who had been at the bar. But frustratingly, there were people who actively were trying to stymie Wolfe's efforts. She received several messages specifically and strongly stating that the unidentified bar patrons were not involved in Nahla's disappearance.

"I thought that what they said - and their multiple posts on several different sites - was suspicious, and so did many of the people who helped me," Wolfe said. "I was too trusting and naive. I told the people outside of the bar that I was from out of town and that I'd be leaving soon. They probably thought that if they took my dog that I wouldn't come back to get her."

Wolfe received taunting and harassing messages on every front, including emails, Facebook messages and Craigslist posts. Many of the messages wished harm on Wolfe, and seemed designed to scare her into stopping her search.

One of the anonymous messages said that Nahla was in a good home and had "forgotten" about Wolfe. "I am sorry that you felt it was ok for you to leave the poor dear in the cold tied up outside a bar while you got drunk," said part of the note. "I hope you learned your lesson."

But all the harassing messages ended up having the opposite of their intended effect. They led Wolfe back to Nahla. According to the Examiner, Wolfe traced the messages - the emails from different accounts, the Craigslist posts and countless misleading "tips" - to one IP address. Armed with that information and a sketch she drew of the person from the bar whom she suspected of being responsible for taking Nahla, Wolfe headed back to Seattle.

All the information Wolfe had collected brought her to Vashon Island, Wash., and that is where she eventually found Nahla in someone's backyard. She called the police, and an officer met with her to see her police report from Seattle, as well as all her evidence and her sketch. When the officer knocked on the door of the home where Wolfe had seen Nahla, two women answered, one of whom matched Wolfe's sketch and was indeed one of the smokers from the bar.

Be honest with yourself about whether your dog can handle TYDTWD.

Not all dogs are made alike, and neither are all dog owners. In other words, some dogs are better behaved than others, and some owners are better at training their dogs than others. We're not going to judge you if you don't have complete control of your pet, or if you just like to be less strict and let him do what he wants at home. But if that's the case, your dog may not be a very good candidate for TYDTWD. Even if you're allowed to take him, your place of business is still probably a place where your dog will need to be on his best behavior, so if you think he'll pester your coworkers or make a lot of noise, leave him home.

Clear it with your boss.

This one is a no-brainer. The Friday after Father's Day is designated as Take Your Dog to Work Day every year, but it is not a widely recognized holiday, and your boss is not required to allow you to observe and celebrate it. So before you set any of your TYDTWD plans in motion, make sure the boss says it's OK. Depending on the culture of your workplace, getting permission may be easy or it may be impossible. If the answer is no, don't make a stink. Damaging your reputation at work isn't worth it.

Tell your coworkers.

It's a good idea to talk to your coworkers about your plans ahead of time and take their temperatures about the idea, especially if TYDTWD isn't a company-wide event. A lot of people don't like dogs, or don't want to be around them, or are just plain terrified of them. Most people won't have a problem with your dog at work, but some may be wary, so do your best to assuage their fears. If you feel like you're getting too much static from your peers about TYDTWD, it may be smart to leave the dog at home. Even though you may not technically need their permission, you don't want to alienate the people you work with.

Make sure no one has severe dog allergies.

While you're checking with your colleagues to see how they feel about TYDTWD, also ensure that your dog's presence won't be a health issue. Some people at work may have mild allergies to dogs, and they may not have a problem taking an allergy pill or something to ward off symptoms. But if there's a danger of anyone having a serious allergic reaction to your animal, you may want to sit TYDTWD out.

Make sure your dog's vaccinations are up to date.

If your boss has approved TYDTWD, there's a good chance you won't be the only one with a dog at work on Friday, and not all your coworkers are guaranteed to be as conscientious as you. Protect your dog and your coworkers' dogs by making sure yours is up to date with all its vaccinations, that it's not sick and that it's protected against fleas and ticks. But you already do all that anyway, right?

Give your dog a bath.

No matter what your job is, you wouldn't go to work sloppy, unwashed and stinky. Your dog shouldn't bet that way on TYDTWD either. Make sure she looks professional by washing and grooming her not long before the big day. Your goal on TYDTWD is for your dog's visit to be a treat for everyone. If she's smelling up the joint and shedding everywhere, no one is going to be happy. Plus, if you impress everyone with how responsible owner you are by having your dog look her best, you may even score points professionally. Win-win.

Dog-proof your workspace.

Even if you trust your dog to be on his best behavior, play it safe and make an extra effort to dog-proof your cubicle or wherever it is you work. Get any electrical cords out of the way, move or hide and potentially dangerous plants or other objects your dog shouldn't swallow. And to keep him properly occupied, bring the comforts of home, like his own dog bed and a favorite toy or woobie.

Stay on task.

Take Your Dog to Work Day wasn't scheduled arbitrarily. Its creators chose a summertime Friday to maximize the potential for a laid-back, casual atmosphere. If your employers are down with having dogs around on TYDTWD, they're probably ready for a casual day. But don't take that as an excuse to slack off all day and ignore your responsibilities. Don't take advantage of the special day and give your boss a good excuse to say no when TYDTWD rolls around again next year.

Be ready for things not to go perfectly.

Even if you've done all your due diligence and planned for a calm, collected TYDTWD with your well-behaved dog, there's always a chance for complications you can't predict. Maybe your dog won't feel well on Friday, or she'll be intimidated and upset by all the other people, or she and another dog just won't care for each other's presence. It may be something that means you'll have to remove your dog from the office for everyone's sake. Let everyone know that ahead of time, too, in case you have to duck out.

1. Teach Your Dog To Swim

When possible, train your dog to swim. Not comfortable with such a task? Enlist the help of a dog trainer. They are more than equipped to handle your pooch's fear of water and teach him or her a few swimming basics.

2. Invest In A Dog Life Vet

Life vests and life jackets are perfect for the dog that will never be a great swimmer. They provide extra buoyancy and a dash of bright colors so that your dog can stay afloat and remain highly visible.

RELATED: 5 Summertime Pests For Dogs And Cats

Just don't rely on the life vest so much that you leave your dog unattended.

3. Take Care With Older Dogs

Senior dogs are more likely to suffer from arthritis, vision loss, seizures and a host of other health issues that may require your special attention around the pool or prohibit them from swimming altogether. Confirm with your veterinarian if your dog is healthy enough to swim in the pool.

4. Learn Dog CPR

Being able to properly administer artificial respiration and CPR on a dog is vital should your dog accidentally drown in your pool.

RELATED: 7 Common Ailments In Senior Dogs

Some animal organizations and shelters even offer classes on the proper techniques.

Q: How prevalent are allergies in dogs? What percentage of dogs have some kind of allergy?

A: Dog allergies to skin, fleas and food are the #1 medical condition we see among claims filed by pet owners. Dog allergies account for nearly 11 percent of all claims filed with Pets Best Insurance. As a point of reference, the second-most common medical condition we see is ear infections, which represent about 5.5 percent of all claims. Additionally, ear infections are often caused by allergies.

Q: What are some of the most common canine allergies of which dog owners should be aware?

A: Skin/environmental allergies: This is the most common allergy among dogs. Pets develop allergies to items in the environment, and when they come in contact with these items, the pets become itchy. In humans, these allergies typically result in sneezing and sniffling.

Environmental allergens can include a wide variety of items, such as pollen, grass, trees, weeds, mold spores, house dust, dust mites, fleas and dander.

Food allergies: Dogs can become allergic to many types of food - most commonly chicken, beef, corn and wheat. A true diet trial needs to be performed for at least six to eight weeks before a food allergy can be ruled out as a cause for itching.

Flea allergies: Flea allergies can occur even if you don't see fleas on your dog. A dog that is allergic to fleas will usually have a reaction to even one bite from a flea.

Q: What are some of the most common symptoms or presentations of allergies in dogs?

A: Skin/environmental allergies can be seasonal, but many dogs will remain itchy all year long. The dog will most commonly become itchy around its eyes, mouth, armpits, legs, belly and/or rear. Recurrent ear infections are common among dogs with environmental allergies. Symptoms often become present at a young age, typically between ages 1 and 3.

Food allergies are not seasonal and will cause consistent itchiness. The dog will typically be itchy on its face, feet, legs and/or belly. Recurrent ear infections are also common for pets with food allergies. Pet owners should know that a dog can develop an allergy to a food it has been eating for years.

Flea allergies tend to result in itchiness along the base of the tail.

Q: What is involved in diagnosing a dog's allergy or allergies?

A: There is no one magic test for allergies and the diagnosis can be far from straightforward. Determining whether your dog has allergies is generally based on your dog's history and the clinical signs. Testing to rule out fleas and mites is usually done first. Additionally, clearing up secondary infections like ear infections and skin infections will need to be done before allergy treatments can be started.

Q: What are some common treatments for allergies in dogs?

A: Treating allergies in dogs can be frustrating, often requiring a trial-and-error process to determine which combination of therapies will work for the dog. The most common therapies include one or more of the following:

Antihistamines: Most symptoms cannot be controlled with an antihistamine alone, but since most are safe and fairly inexpensive, this is often the first step in treatment.

Steroids: Steroids are often the cornerstone of therapy for allergies. Most allergic pets will respond well to anti-inflammatory drugs, but long-term use is not desirable.  

Cyclosporine: This drug works by changing the body's immune response to the allergens, basically acting as an immunosuppressant.  

Allergy shots/immunotherapy: This treatment involves giving an injection that has been formulated specifically for your pet following allergy testing. These injections are typically performed throughout the pet's life.

Shampoo/Sprays: Topical products such as prescription allergy shampoos and topical skin sprays often help suppress the symptoms of allergies. These products are generally used in conjunction with another treatment option.

Diet: When a dog is itchy all year long, it is possible the pet also has food allergies and not just skin allergies. A diet trial needs to be performed for at least six to eight weeks to determine whether the dog has a food allergy. 

Supplements: Essential fatty acids, such as omega-3, reduce inflammation in the body. This can aid in the treatment of allergies. However, these supplements must be used for at least six weeks.

Flea medication: Keeping your dog consistently protected with flea medication can play a vital role in successfully treating flea allergies.

Q: To what other health problems can untreated dog allergies lead?

A: Allergies cause dogs to experience dry, itchy skin. If left untreated, the persistent scratching can cause:

-Bald patches
-Red skin
-Rashes that ooze discharge
-Open wounds that can get infected. These wounds are often repeatedly reopened as a result of constant scratching. 
-Skin yeast infections. This begins with a rash, and then the skin becomes crusty and "elephant-like" in appearance.
-An extremely unpleasant odor permeating from the skin
-Ear infections. If left untreated, ear infections caused by allergies can lead to ear canal narrowing, scarring and even permanent hearing loss

Recently, a Labrador retriever in California insured by Pets Best had to have a total ear canal ablation surgery as a result of a chronic ear infection resulting from the dog's skin allergies. The veterinary bill was more than $3,000, and Pets Best Insurance reimbursed the policyholder nearly $2,500 based on the person's elected plan deductible and co-insurance level.

Q: Are certain dog breeds more susceptible than others to developing allergies?

A: Multiple breeds are thought to be predisposed to allergies, including the Boxer, Bull Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Chow Chow, Cocker Spaniel, French Bulldog, Fox Terrier, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Labrador Retriever, Poodle, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Shar-Pei, Vizsla and West Highland White Terrier.

Family history is also considered a factor. If either of the parent dogs have allergies, it is more likely that their puppies will develop allergies as well.

Q: What else should owners know to keep their dogs healthy when it comes to allergies?

PENGUIN PRIDE

An adorable baby Magellanic penguin is shown off to the media during a press preview at the Sumida Aquarium in Tokyo, Japan.

PRECIOUS PALLAS

A beautiful pallas cat is pictured in the Night Hunters exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio. What a cutie!

STRIPES FOR DAYS

Kirana the tiger nurtures her cub while on display for the first time at the Chester Zoo in Cheshire, England.

FEELIN' FOXY

At the Mulhouse Zoo in France, two arctic fox cubs are pictured looking very adorable. Aren't they the cutest?

SPARROW ON A STATUE

A sparrow sits on top of a decorative statue in Kiev, Ukraine.

ON OUR WAY TO SAFETY

Volunteers evacuate horses from the Kit Carson Riding Club near Colorado Springs, Colo., due to the Black Forest fire.

CHECK OUT MY FACE

Misha the snow leopard cub gets up close and personal with the camera at the Denver Zoo in Colorado. Isn't she adorable?

PUDU PERFECTION

In Sweden's Parken Zoo, a pudu calf stands next to two adult pudus in their enclosure in Eskilstuna, Sweden. Did you know the pudu is the world's smallest deer?

BEAUTY COWS

A cow undergoes a styling session for a bovine beauty competition in Oldenburg, Germany.

SHRIMP AND STEEDS

A man on horseback fishes for shrimp during the visit of King Albert and Queen Paola in Oostduinkerke, Belgium. Looks fun!

NICE AND CONTENT

A very cute kangaroo lies in a patch of shade at the Hellabrunn Zoo in Germany. Someone looks relaxed!

MEERKAT CUTENESS

A meerkat stands on a stone looking adorable at the Sababurg Wild Park in Germany.

MONKEY MADNESS

A François' leaf-monkey infant named Nuoc is pictured with its mother at the Taronga Zoo in Australia. The youngster was born in early March, but the keepers had to step in and hand-raise the baby because its mother, Saigon, was not producing enough milk. Mother and baby are back together now, and doing awesome.

ELEPHANTS DOWN UNDER

"Jesus Christ Superstar" cast members are pictured standing next to gorgeous elephants while visiting the Australia Zoo.

MAY I OSTRICH YOU SOME FOOD?

Palestinian children feed ostriches during their summer camp activities at a public park in Gaza. So adorable!

JUST HATCHED

A palawan peacock pheasant has recently hatched at the Houston Zoo in Texas.

ALL SAFE NOW

A deer fawn is fed at the Colorado Springs Therapeutic Riding Center in Colorado after a firefighter rescued it from a forest fire.

CONSERVE THE CUTIES

A sea turtle hatchling is prepares to be released into the sea in Kuta Beach, Indonesia.

TAROT DOGGIE

Heidi Schulman strikes a pose with her rescue dog, Bosco, in Santa Fe, N.M. Bosco has helped his owner develop "The Original Dog Tarot: Divine the Canine Mind," to help people have better connections with their pets.

GIBBON GREATNESS

A Javan gibbon family hang out out and look very cute at Fort Wayne Children's Zoo in Indiana.

A KISS FOR YOU

Two beautiful grizzly bears touch noses in courtship display on the northwestern coast of British Columbia, Canada.

PRECIOUS PUDU

An adorable baby pudu fawn shows off some cuteness, getting much attention from visitors at the Detroit Zoo in Michigan.

BABY BONOBO

A beautiful baby bonobo was born on May 12 at the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee, to mother Kiri and father Mofana. Baby and mother are doing great.

FLED FROM THE FLOOD

More than 100 deer look for shelter while in the flooded waters of the Danube River near Budapest, Hungary.

RAVISHING LITTLE RHINO

Makena the baby rhinoceros stands next to her mother, Uzuri, at their enclosure at the Serengeti Wildlife Park in Hodenhagen, Germany. What a cutie!

WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE?

A stunning dama gazelle examines a jar of delicious peanut butter at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas. Yum!

SAKI SWEETNESS

A baby white-faced saki clings to its mother for a fun ride at the Dublin Zoo in Ireland. These primates are found in the tropical forests of Brazil, French Guiana, Venezuela and Suriname.

GET MUDDY

Cuddles, the African elephant, relaxes in the mud during a rainy day at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia.

SALUTE THE PUPS

Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff holds an adorable Chihuahua at an event for the Southamptom Animal Shelter held at a private residence in New York City.

IT'S HARD TO BE THIS GOOD LOOKING 

An adorable Goodfellow's tree kangaroo shows a sweet face to the camera at the Taronga Zoo in Australia.

RING THE ALARM

A 14-week-old ringtail lemur baby eats a sweet snack at the Bramble Park Zoo in Watertown, S.D. How precious is this little guy?

CUTENESS OVERLOAD 

Endangered Attwater's prairie chicks look nothing short of adorable at the Houston Zoo in Texas.

SILLY TIGER

A beautiful tiger makes a silly face at the Frankfurt Zoological Garden in Frankfurt, Germany.

OKAPI OOHS

An okapi calf debuts at the San Diego Zoo in California. The youngster has doubled her birth weight in two weeks, and is very healthy. So cute!

MACAQUE MUNCHIES

A wild macaque monkey chomps on fruit left by pedestrians in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

LITTLE WOBBLES

Herbert the moose walks around his outdoor enclosure at the Wildpark Alte Fasanerie wildlife park in Hanau, Germany.

LUCKY SEAGULLS

A man feeds some seagulls at the Circular Quay in Sydney Harbour, Australia. Aww!

HARD AT WORK

Civil Guard Sergeant Juan Carlos Alabacres Munoz pets beautiful police dog Ajax after winning a medal in Mostoles near Madrid, Spain. The 12-year-old German Shepherd won the award for detecting a bomb on the Spanish island of Mallorca, allowing police to explode it.

ADORABLE TOUCHDOWN

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers feeds some biscuits to giraffes at the San Diego Zoo in California. A group of San Diego Chargers players visited the zoo as part of Thank You San Diego Day. 

POTBELLIED AND BEAUTIFUL

A newborn potbellied piglet walks around its enclosure at the Tiergarten Delitzsch Zoo in Delitzsch, Germany. Its mother is doing well and is taking very good care of her offspring.

LONG HAIR, DON'T CARE

A cute dog with a crazy hairdo pants on a hot day in Berlin, Germany.

SMALL ROARS

Two white lion cubs explore their enclosure while being shown to the public for the very first time today at the Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen, Netherlands.

ONLY THE CRUMBS ARE LEFT

A Key deer struggles with a bag of chips stuck on its head in Monroe County, Fla. Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Gordon removed the bag after encountering the Key deer, an endangered species.

LET THE CUTENESS BEGIN

Pygmy slow loris twins look very cute while on display at the El Paso Zoo in Texas. 

SUIT AND TIE

Stanley the giraffe shows off his dapper appearance in Culver City, Calif., while on stage at Spike TV's "Guys' Choice 2013" Awards.

BEAUTIES WITH BLUBBER

Shila the Pacific harbor seal gave birth to a healthy pup at the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Wash. So precious!

NEW PUP ADDITION

Michigan's Potter Park Zoo has a new, adorable addition. A North American river otter pup named Miles has been born, and is currently being hand-reared. There were some complications at birth, so zoo staff are watching Miles very closely. He will be on exhibit soon for the public to see.

PRECIOUS POSSIBILITIES

A Przewalski's horse foal has been born to mother Yisun at the Denver Zoo in Dever, Colo. This is the first birth of this endangered species at the Denver Zoo since 1991. Too cute!

ROUGHHOUSING DAD

Describing this picture, the photographer said, "They were wrestling, and suddenly stopped to smile at me while I tried to take a picture." When asked who won? "Everybody won!" Obviously.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Joe is a responsible dude, breaking out the nail clippers when Dia's claws need trimming. He must be doing something right, because she doesn't even seem to mind.

BIG BROTHER

With his first human child on the way, this dog dad is explaining to his best friend that he won't be the baby of the house anymore. We think the dog understands that it's going to have two best friends now.

DAD NAPS

This Reddit user said he and his wife rescued their perpetually sleepy cat, Norman, from euthanasia a week before this photo was snapped.

JUST ADOPTED

"A few weeks ago, my uncle's dog died after 14 years with him and he's been so depressed about it," writes Reddit user Pianoangel420. "My aunt surprised him by taking him to pick up their new puppy when he thought they were just going shopping. This is the first picture taken of them together when they got back in the car." D'aww!

MANLY CAT GUY

This cat dad asserts his manliness with an authentic dad beard, but he's not afraid to show his softer side by engaging in frequent kitty cuddles.

MOVIE BUFFS

"They watched a whole movie like this," said the photographer. But what movie was it? "Marley and Me"? "My Dog Skip"? "The Incredible Journey"? "Amores Perros"?

ESKIMO KITTEN

Cat dads are down for Eskimo kisses any time, day or night.

HUSKY HUGS

"I am going blind in one of my eyes and this is how my Husky tells me everything is going to be OK," said this dog dad. When you take care of your furry friends, they take care of you.

CAT COMFORT

One of the differences between being a cat dad and being a dad to human kids is that human kids climb into your bed when they're having nightmares, and cats climb into your bed when you're having nightmares.

2.

Name: Emo

Location: Alaska

About: Emo is a female Maine Coon. She does great with other cats.

3.

Name: Mary

Location: Arizona

About:  Mary is an affectionate cat, but would prefer to be by herself. She is fine with dogs if they are not high-energy. 

4.

Name: Wesley

Location: Arkansas

About: Wesley is very friendly and outgoing. He is laid-back, too.

5.

Name: Alley

Location: California

About: Alley loves children and being held. Won't you consider adopting her?

6.

Name: Simone

Location: Colorado

About: Simone is looking for a new life and hoping to be pampered for the rest of her years. 

7.

Name: Irene

Location: Connecticut

About: Irene is charming, independent and would make an awesome cat for an adult family. 

8.

Name: Cassidy

Location: Delaware

About:  Consider adopting Cassidy. She recently gave birth to four kittens that were all adopted. Now its Mom's turn!

9.

Name: Petey

Location: Florida

About: Petey is very timid at the shelter and would love nothing more than a home to call his own. 

10.

Name: Java

Location: Georgia

About: Java is a very loving kitty. 

11.

Name: Stripey

Location: Hawaii

About:  Stripey is a quiet boy and would prefer a nice, calm home. 

12.

Name: Jim 

Location: Idaho

About: Gotta love that face! Consider adding this cute boy to your family. 

13.

Name: Lola

Location: Illinois

About: Lola loves to have company, and is a very special girl. 

14.

Name: Suzie

Location: Indiana

About: Suzie is a fluffy girl. She is spayed and ready to be adopted. 

15.

Name: Tasha

Location: Iowa

About: Tasha is a petite girl, waiting for her forever home. 

16.

Name: Frosty

Location: Kansas

About: Frosty sure looks like he is a good snuggler. 

17.

Name:  Rocky

Location: Kentucky

About: Rocky has had a rough life, but would make an awesome companion. 

18.

Name: Twiggy

Location: Louisiana

About: Twiggy is a skinny little thing, looking for love. 

19.

Name: Chickadee

Location: Maine

About: Chickadee is waiting for that perfect home.

20.

Name: Ceasar

Location: Maryland

About:  Ceasar acts more like a dog than a cat. He's very loving!

21.

Name: Murray

Location: Massachusetts

About:  Murray is very outgoing, a real character. 

22.

Name: Mudge

Location: Michigan

About: Mudge is a very sweet boy whose coat is a beautiful color.

23.

Name: Dodger

Location: Minnesota

About: Dodger has a very unique "meow" sound, and will meow back at you!

24.

Name: Bonnie

Location: Mississippi

About: Check out Bonnie! She would make a wonderful pet. 

25.

Name: Flower

Location: Missouri

About: Flower is a very social and vocal, adores attention and likes to sit in your lap.