Pet parents reminded to never leave animals in hot cars
Devin Kidd
(WSIL) — With the weather starting to warm up and the temperature constantly rising as we approach summer, pet owners should remember the Humane Society of Missouri's life-saving motto: 70 and Over, Don't Take Rover!
The following are some advice from HSMO for keeping pets safe on hot, sunny days:
When the temperature is at or over 70 degrees, never leave a pet unattended in a parked automobile. Inside a car, the temperature can quickly rise above 100 degrees, and temperatures above 110 degrees can be lethal in minutes.
If you observe a terrified animal in an unsecured car, act quickly. As quickly as possible, contact the police and the Humane Society of Missouri's Animal Cruelty Hotline at (314) 647-4400. A pet who is panting heavily, acting unresponsive, having a seizure, or collapsing requires rapid attention.
If your pet is showing indications of heat exhaustion, apply cool water to their extremities. Place a cool, wet towel around your pet's neck or pour cool water over their body, especially the abdomen and between the hind legs, if they're showing signs. As quickly as possible, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Make sure your outside pets have plenty of shade and clean water. Metal bowls should not be used in the sun because they will become extremely hot. If you're walking or jogging with your dog, take frequent water breaks. If you're going to keep your pet outside for an extended amount of time, make sure they have access to shade. Concrete and asphalt heat up quickly. It's too hot for a dog's paws if you can't keep your palm on the pavement for 10 seconds.
When the temperature rises above 90 degrees, keep dogs inside. There will be days when the temperature rises to the point that pets cannot remain outside due to the heat. Bring them inside and store them in a safe and secure location, such as the basement, if your home does not have air conditioning. Rising indoor temperatures might be just as dangerous as the outside heat.
All of these suggestions can be found at hsmo.org/donttakerover.
Call the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Hotline at (314) 647-4400 and your local police department right away if you see an animal in distress due to the heat.
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