Help Your Dogs Beat the Heat

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Created on Thursday, 05 May 2016 15:49
Written by Dylan Clark

DogstuffLITTLETON- The warmer weather is fast approaching, which means it's time to get outside and enjoy some of the activities that accompany warmer weather, such as spending time with your beloved pets.

However, pet owners are being urged to take precautious measures to ensure the safety of our furry friends.

Second Chance Animal Shelter out of Littleton is attempting to get the word out to all pet owners that the dangers of leaving pets in a car amidst even the mildest of temperatures could be hazardous to your pet's health.

While even a cracked window may leave you feeling cool on a hot summer day, this is still no help for dogs, who left in an enclosed environment can overheat very quickly.

Jackie Allison, President of Second Chance Animal Shelter, believes the biggest issues stem from the parking lots of big box stores

"I don't know whether it's the anonymity of being in a big space, but that's where we usually get the calls and we immediately call the police," stated Allison.

According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a non-profit organization based out of Norfolk,Virginia, says on a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can climb between 100 and 120 degrees in just minutes.

This would leave your pets susceptible to brain damage and could even lead to heat stroke which could likely lead to death in just a few short minutes.

Because dogs's only option for cooling themselves is through panting or sweating through the pads on their paws, it is imperative you as an owner check to see if the conditions are safe for your pet.

In order to assure the safety of your pet at all times, PETA urges owners to check the conditions outside prior to allowing furry companions outdoors.

Make sure to check the temperature of the asphalt you're walking on because if temperatures reach 87-degrees, the asphalt temperature could reach upwards of 140 degrees, causing damage to the paws of the animals and rapid overheating.

If you or anyone else sees's a situation where an animal is left unattended in a hot vehicle, make sure to mark the information of the vehicle and call the authorities.

If you are to own a pet, make sure you wouldn't put them in a situation that you yourself couldn't bear to handle.