Don’t leave your pet in a hot car
Dogs pant to keep cool but, left in a hot car, panting is not enough, placing the dog at risk of heat stroke and ultimately death
LEAVING animals in a car on a hot day is highly dangerous for the animal’s health and could lead to death sooner than you think.
This warning comes from Richards Bay SPCA after Zululanders have had a taste of summer yesterday (Wednesday) and today, with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees across the region.
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The SPCA attended to a call-out yesterday where two dogs had been left in a vehicle at a local shopping centre.
On arrival, the SPCA inspectors assessed the situation and determined that the dogs were not in distress, the windows were open and there was water for them inside the car.
However, they did verbally warn the owners of the dogs as to the seriousness of the situation.
Dogs don’t sweat as humans do, but pant to keep cool.
Left in a hot car, panting is not enough; their core temperature rises, placing them at risk of heat stroke, collapse, brain damage, and eventually death.
‘Most people don’t realise the difference in temperature inside a vehicle compared to the outside air temperature,’ said Richards Bay SPCA Manager, Shelly Prinsloo.
On a mild 24 degree day, the inside of a vehicle can reach 48 degrees, while on a hot 34 degree day – the average temperature for most of the Zululand summer – the inside of a vehicle can reach a dangerously high 63 degrees.
‘We also appeal to people not to take their dogs for walks on a hot day because the tar burns their pads.
‘The same can be said for beach sand – if you can’t walk on a hot surface barefoot, then neither can your dog.’
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