The weather is warming. All across the land, people are opening windows to air out their homes. Wait, there goes a butterfly, and your little curious kitty takes a leap after the fluttering toy. How is that screen on the window? Is there a screen on the window?

Before you choose to open up a window and let the summer breeze tickle your chin, check the screens on your windows. Make sure that they are snuggly fit into the frames, do not have holes, and are not loose. Most importantly, if you don't have screens on your windows and you have pets, get thee some screens or glue your windows shut. Window screens can save the life of your pet. Aside from the many insects you can prevent entering your home and biting and/or infecting you and your pet with a myriad of diseases, you can prevent your pet from injuring or killing themselves as they exit the house through the screen-less portal.

High-Rise syndrome is when a cat (and some dogs and other pets) falls a great distance (from one to six stories), generally from high-rise buildings, roofs, or skyscrapers. The term also relates to the animal's injuries from such a fall. The ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City sees an animal injured or killed daily by the completely avoidable situation. The potential injuries the pet can sustain are not something to ignore. Injuries range from the very serious and life-threatening to the terminal.

As in our example, a cat is usually chasing some interesting item--they don't go around flinging themselves out of windows or off terraces. Keep your screens in place, frequently inspect them for damage, and replace any broken spline or webbing immediately. So, take a little time to inspect those sunny and interesting relaxation spots before you allow your pet to window gaze. You never know who or what might catch their fancy. A little prevention....