PETA Has Released Its Tips for Taking Care of Animals During Heatwaves

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, known as PETA, has released a warm weather advisory tip sheet for people know more about just how risky to our furry friends these blazing hot days can be, and what you do to keep them safe.

This week, Pasadena will swelter. An Excessive Heat Watch was scheduled by the National Weather Service to start Monday at 10 a.m. and last until Thursday at 8 p.m. Temperatures are expected to hover around 100 daily.

“Already this year, there have been at least 32 hot weather–related animal deaths – and these are just the ones that have been reported. Most aren’t,” PETA said.

The organization said the following tips will help keep animal companions safe in hot weather:

• Keep animals indoors. Unlike humans, dogs can sweat only through their footpads and cool themselves by panting, so even brief sun exposure can have life-threatening consequences. Anyone who sees animals in distress and is unable to help should note their locations and alert authorities immediately.

(In Pasadena, you should call the Pasadena Humane Society at (626) 792-7151.)

• Never leave an animal inside a hot vehicle. Temperatures can quickly soar in parked cars, and a dog trapped inside can die from heatstroke within minutes – even if the car is in the shade with the windows slightly open. PETA offers an emergency window-breaking hammer for help intervening in life-or-death situations.
• Avoid hot pavement. When outdoor temperatures reach the 80s, asphalt temperatures can climb to 140 degrees, causing pain, burns, and permanent damage to dogs’ paws after just a few minutes of contact. Walk dogs on grass whenever possible, and avoid walking in the middle of the day. Never run with dogs in hot weather – they’ll collapse before giving up, at which point it may be too late to save them.

Law-enforcement officials across the country are also warning people of the dangers of hot weather.

“Every year, we alert people to the danger of leaving children or pets inside cars in the summer,” Oak Brook, Illinois Chief of Police James R. Kruger Jr. was quoted by PETA as having said. “The temperature inside a vehicle climbs approximately 43 degrees in just an hour. The loss of a defenseless animal in this manner is avoidable and should never happen. There is no reason to take your pet out in extreme heat without adequate air conditioning and water.”

To watch the PSA featuring McKenna Grace, visit https://youtu.be/P4DEtBUNczQ.