Furry Tails: Keeping Pets Safe During These Dog Days Of Summer
Summer's scorching temperatures can put a strain on anyone.
The dog days of summer have arrived. Pun intended, of course! And temperatures are soaring into the 90s in Pittsburgh. Heat like that can get very dangerous, very quickly.
In addition to looking out for our neighbors, it's also important to keep our pets safe.
That means watching out for animals left in the heat for too long, especially in hot vehicles.
This summer, the Western Pa. Humane Society is reminding residents to dial 911 if they see an animal they believe to be in distress.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, "The temperatures inside your vehicle can rise almost 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. At 60 minutes, the temperature in your vehicle can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature."
So, on a 90 degree day, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach more than 130 degrees over the course of just an hour.
Last year, Pittsburgh was the first city in Pennsylvania to pass an ordinance aimed at keeping animals safe from getting locked up in those kinds of extreme temperatures.
The ordinance allows first responders, like police officers, firefighters and animal control officers, to break into vehicles when they deem the situation to be dangerous for an animal inside.
But, if you come across a situation like this, don't try and get the animal out yourself. If you believe the animal is in distress and danger, call 911 immediately for a first responder to assess the situation and try contacting the owner.
Here's more information from the Western Pa. Humane Society on what to do:
And for more information on how to keep pets safe in extreme temperatures, visit these links:
Just as these temperatures are dangerous for people, they're unsafe for our pets as well. So, while you're keeping a close eye on your family, friends and neighbors this summer, watch out for your furry friends, too.
Pets bring so much joy to our lives, and it's important to look out for them, especially in cases of extreme weather.
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Stay tuned animal lovers for more Furry Tails! You can follow me on Twitter at @HeatherLang24
