Weather forecast: It’s been hot. It’s currently hot. And there’s a 100% chance of it continuing to be hot for the foreseeable future! That’s not just tough on us humans, but on our pets as well. If they are outside, please make sure they have access to shade and plenty of clean water.
Sadly, hundreds of pets die each year from being left in a hot car and this is absolutely one of the most preventable types of death there is. We’ve all heard the excuses: “Oh, it will just be a few minutes while I run into the store,” or “But I cracked the windows…” The most polite response we can muster is “Malarkey.”
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the temperature inside your vehicle can rise almost 20 degrees in just 10 minutes and almost 30 degrees in 20 minutes. And the longer you wait, the higher it goes. At one hour, your vehicle’s inside temperature can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature, so even on a 70-degree day, that’s 110 degrees inside your vehicle! And cracking the windows makes no difference. The most effective plan is just don’t do it. The harm that can be done to your beloved pet is harsh and, potentially, fatal. Your pet can quickly suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke or suffocation.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, we should all watch for signs of heat stress – heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting or a deep red or purple tongue. Also according to the HS of the US, if you see an animal in a car exhibiting signs of heat stress, call your local animal care and control agency or police department immediately and take the following steps:
-
Get the vehicle’s tag number and enter the nearest store or business to request an emergency announcement be made about a pet left in a hot vehicle.
-
Go back and wait for police at the vehicle.
We know some folks are reluctant to “get involved,” but please remember getting involved may save the life of that precious furbaby.
Pets of the Week
We’d like to introduce you to this handsome gentleman. Gunner is a two-year-old Lab mix and he currently is a svelte 74 pounds. Sadly, he and his brother were found as strays a few weeks ago by Yellville Animal Control. We thought for sure someone would come looking for them, but our hopes went unfulfilled and now Gunner is ready to check out of this “hotel” and move on with his furever family. And those humans will be so lucky!
Gunner is such a good boy. He walks well on a leash, appears to be housebroken, is good with other dogs and has shown no interest in the cats when walked by our Cattery. Due to his breed, he may be prone to chasing other animals, but we’re not sure. Because Gunner is so full of energy and loves to play, we don’t recommend him with smaller children just because his enthusiasm might cause him to accidentally knock them down. We know he would regret doing so, but sometimes his enthusiasm gets the better of him.
Elsie does her best to teach her son, Angus, the importance of being well-groomed.
This week, we’re also featuring Elsie and Angus. Elsie came into our shelter mid April with a whole litter of new babies. She is a gorgeous torbie (tortoiseshell tabby) and we believe she’s around four to five years old. They were found abandoned in Mountain Home. Elsie has been such a good little Mama but all of her babies have now been adopted, except for Angus (yes, after the cow breed, since his Mama was named after a famous cow). Angus was born around March 20 and is a handsome buff tabby. He can be a little pushy during feeding time but plays and rough houses with the other kittens in the Cattery and loves to play outside in the Catio.
If you’d like to meet Gunner, Elsie, or Angus, or any of our other current adoptables, please come see us at Have a Heart Pet Shelter, 657 Highway 202 West in Yellville or call us at 870/449-7387. They’re all waiting to meet you and hope to see you soon!!