When it comes to owning a swimming pool, there are a lot of benefits. That’s never been more apparent than during the
COVID-19 pandemic. A pool provides a stress-relieving source of respite in an otherwise weary world. Unfortunately, a pool also carries a lot of responsibilities, too! For example, have you ever woken up to find a live animal in your pool? This sounds silly, but it’s quite common and you’ll need to know what to do if this ever happens to you.
Watch Out for Gators!
Believe it or not, finding a live animal in your pool happens a lot more than people realize. In fact, just last month, a homeowner in Alabama stepped into his yard to see an alligator taking a dip in his backyard!
According to
WALA-TV, Steven McCulland received quite a shock one morning. McCulland recorded the incident and uploaded it to social media. “If you own an alligator and you’re missing one, he’s in my backyard in my pool,” he said. “Come get him.” Fortunately, no one was hurt. A wildlife agent was dispatched and the alligator was safely removed from the property.
You can see the alligator McCulland encountered here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10216814732672777&set=a.2817171640572&type=3
What to Do Upon Finding a Live Animal in Your Pool
Okay, so with the story of that invading gator, the situation wrapped up nicely. No one was hurt, including the alligator. No harm, no foul. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In Florida, for example, alligators are known to climb into people’s pools. Depending on where you live, this can be a fairly common occurrence. So what should you do if you find a live animal in your pool?
First and foremost, get back inside. Above all, when you encounter a live animal in the pool, gator or otherwise, your top priority should be personal safety. You and your family should stay inside and call for help. Unless you’re looking at a small animal in immediate danger, this is probably not the time for heroics.
No matter where you live, if a dangerous animal is in your pool, you should reach out to your local Animal Control agency. This agency can provide advice and will send someone to take care of the creature. Overall, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Leave live animals to the professionals. In the event that the
animal in your pool is already dead, we have a detailed blog with tips for this situation.
Deterring Unwanted Guests
For live animals, call for help. But what if you’re simply trying to prevent live animals from entering your pool area in the first place? Here are some helpful hints that can help.
Pool Fence
Placing a strong barrier around your water will do a lot to deter uninvited guests. Just be sure you know what makes a sturdy pool fence, including
strong mesh and poles. These should be high enough to prevent animals (and kids!) from simply climbing over. That said, many animals are a bit nimbler than others. So you’ll want additional ways to deter any animals that make their way beyond the barrier.
Pool Covers
Adding a strong pool cover can help to block off the pool from curious critters, but the strongest of these are not really designed for daily use. These are often more of a way to keep your pool secure during the off seasons. Regardless, if you’re using a pool cover remember that it must be an absolutely snug fit. This will prevent animals like snakes, frogs or rodents, from wiggling underneath and becoming trapped.
Install a Doggie Ramp
If you’re worried about live animals in your pool, it may be wise to install a safety ramp. These are specially designed, usually for dogs, to help animals get in and out of the water. It’s a humane way to help the struggling animal. Besides, when combined with a pool fence, it’s a great way to keep your
dog safe in the pool area as well!
