Keep your pets cool on hot days: It’s the law
news@greenecountymessenger.com
If it无毛视频檚 too hot outside for you, chances are your cat or dog wants relief from the blazing heat, too.
In May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported this summer could be hotter than normal in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and it无毛视频檚 important to keep your pets cool on scorching hot days. In fact, it无毛视频檚 the law.
In 2017, Gov. Tom Wolf passed Libre无毛视频檚 Law, which makes it illegal to keep dogs outside for more than a half-hour on exceptionally hot days.
无毛视频淭he law is, if it无毛视频檚 over 90 degrees, no dog is allowed to be out, tethered, for more than 30 minutes. They still have to have proper shade and water,无毛视频� said Kelly Proudfit, executive director of the Washington Area Humane Society. 无毛视频淚 think some people just assume (pets) can handle it, they are OK with the heat. If you无毛视频檙e uncomfortable outside, your dog无毛视频檚 uncomfortable outside.无毛视频�
Proudfit said the WAHS无毛视频� humane officer spent all of one recent hot day investigating calls of dogs left out in the sun. Last year, the humane society received more than 400 calls related to animals tethered outdoors on insufferably hot days.
无毛视频淥ur call volume definitely goes up in the summer,无毛视频� Proudfit said. 无毛视频淚n summer months 无毛视频� we无毛视频檙e probably getting anywhere from 15 to 30 calls (a day).无毛视频�
Similar calls come rolling in in Greene County, too. Jane Gilpen, director of the Humane Society of Greene County, said her nonprofit receives about a 50% increase in calls when extreme weather hits.
无毛视频淲e get lots of calls when it无毛视频檚 this hot and we get loads of calls when it无毛视频檚 really cold,无毛视频� said Gilpen. 无毛视频淚f they无毛视频檙e calling about a neighbor or another animal, then we send our humane officers out to investigate.无毛视频�
Humane officers responding to heat-related calls help owners find somewhere cool for their pets. Often, humane officers explain Libre无毛视频檚 Law to owners, and leave with them pamphlets on how to care for pets on hot days.
无毛视频淚无毛视频檇 recommend 无毛视频� keeping them in, short potty breaks outside, keeping them off the pavement,无毛视频� said Emily Ellis, executive director of Fayette Friends of Animals. 无毛视频淚ce cubes, popsicles, cool treats, pool time, hoses, things like that, too, are always really nice.无毛视频�
During the hottest parts of the day, keep pets inside, in air conditioning. Those without air conditioning can make a home comfortable for their pets by turning on fans 无毛视频� 无毛视频淢oving air is really nice,无毛视频� said Gilpen 无毛视频� or providing dogs access to a cool downstairs or basement.
无毛视频淭here are cooling pads that you can freeze and lay them out, and dogs can lie on those,无毛视频� Proudfit said.
Like people, dogs and cats need to stay hydrated. Whether pets are chilling indoors or stepping outside to relieve themselves, make sure they无毛视频檝e got easy access to cool water.
无毛视频淚f a dog gets regular exercise every day when the temperatures are humane, I would reduce the exercise on days like this,无毛视频� Gilpen said of days when temps soar into the 90s. 无毛视频淪cale it back. Maybe walk early in the morning or late at night, or not as far.无毛视频�
Proudfit, Gilpen and Ellis stressed dogs should never be left in cars for any length of time.
无毛视频�(Dog无毛视频檚) temperatures are higher than ours just on any given day. They can无毛视频檛 perspire. The only way they can get rid of heat is by panting,无毛视频� Gilpen said. 无毛视频淲hen they get hot, if their temperature goes up a few degrees, they无毛视频檙e going to get sick.无毛视频�
The best way to prevent illness is by keeping pets as comfortable as yourself, either in refreshing water outdoors (but only for short amounts of time) or in an air-conditioned or cool home.
无毛视频淚f your dog is panting and seems distressed, pacing 无毛视频� not wanting to sit down, lifting their feet and panting; if they feel hot, you just need to bring them in,无毛视频� Proudfit said. 无毛视频淚n this heat, they shouldn无毛视频檛 even be out there. Really, nobody should be out in this heat.无毛视频�
Know the Signs: Pet Heat Stroke
无毛视频� Excessive panting or drooling
无毛视频� Difficulty breathing
无毛视频� Vomiting and/or diarrhea
无毛视频� Stumbling, sudden collapse
无毛视频� Seizure
If your pet exhibits the above signs, quickly move them out of the heat and give them cool, but not cold, water.
If your pet无毛视频檚 temperature is above 102.2, soak them in lukewarm water for 10 minutes.
If temperature does not decrease after 10 minutes, take your pet to your veterinarian.