SPCA urging owners to keep pets cool in extreme heat
Posted Sep 3, 2010 06:09:37 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The SPCA is asking dog owners to take better care of their pets in the extreme heat.
Executive Director Kristin Williams tells News 95.7, the agency responded to dozens of calls yesterday about dogs being tied up without shade or water.
“It is difficult for them to dispel heat because they don’t sweat they pant, they’re covered in fur coats,” she said. “We need to make sure to keep them indoors on days like today and make sure they’re provided with either air conditioning or fans and lots of water. Just take sensible precautions.”
She says there were also two separate incidents of dogs locked in cars, both outside the Joseph Howe Drive Superstore.
“One dog was found in a car and the temperature registered at 53 degrees. This is extremely critical and he was in critical condition when we found him,” she said. “Luckily a Good Samaritan intervened and removed him from the car and called us to respond.”
Williams says the dog had been in the car only about 15 minutes. He’s since recovered.
She says the owner had no idea his dog was in trouble, and it shows that some people still need to be educated about the effects of heat on animals.
