Keep your pets cool on hot days: It’s the law
news@greenecountymessenger.com
If it鈥檚 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鈥檚 important to keep your pets cool on scorching hot days. In fact, it鈥檚 the law.
In 2017, Gov. Tom Wolf passed Libre鈥檚 Law, which makes it illegal to keep dogs outside for more than a half-hour on exceptionally hot days.
鈥淭he law is, if it鈥檚 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,鈥� said Kelly Proudfit, executive director of the Washington Area Humane Society. 鈥淚 think some people just assume (pets) can handle it, they are OK with the heat. If you鈥檙e uncomfortable outside, your dog鈥檚 uncomfortable outside.鈥�
Proudfit said the WAHS鈥� 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.
鈥淥ur call volume definitely goes up in the summer,鈥� Proudfit said. 鈥淚n summer months 鈥� we鈥檙e probably getting anywhere from 15 to 30 calls (a day).鈥�
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.
鈥淲e get lots of calls when it鈥檚 this hot and we get loads of calls when it鈥檚 really cold,鈥� said Gilpen. 鈥淚f they鈥檙e calling about a neighbor or another animal, then we send our humane officers out to investigate.鈥�
Humane officers responding to heat-related calls help owners find somewhere cool for their pets. Often, humane officers explain Libre鈥檚 Law to owners, and leave with them pamphlets on how to care for pets on hot days.
鈥淚鈥檇 recommend 鈥� keeping them in, short potty breaks outside, keeping them off the pavement,鈥� said Emily Ellis, executive director of Fayette Friends of Animals. 鈥淚ce cubes, popsicles, cool treats, pool time, hoses, things like that, too, are always really nice.鈥�
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 鈥� 鈥淢oving air is really nice,鈥� said Gilpen 鈥� or providing dogs access to a cool downstairs or basement.
鈥淭here are cooling pads that you can freeze and lay them out, and dogs can lie on those,鈥� 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鈥檝e got easy access to cool water.
鈥淚f a dog gets regular exercise every day when the temperatures are humane, I would reduce the exercise on days like this,鈥� Gilpen said of days when temps soar into the 90s. 鈥淪cale it back. Maybe walk early in the morning or late at night, or not as far.鈥�
Proudfit, Gilpen and Ellis stressed dogs should never be left in cars for any length of time.
鈥�(Dog鈥檚) temperatures are higher than ours just on any given day. They can鈥檛 perspire. The only way they can get rid of heat is by panting,鈥� Gilpen said. 鈥淲hen they get hot, if their temperature goes up a few degrees, they鈥檙e going to get sick.鈥�
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.
鈥淚f your dog is panting and seems distressed, pacing 鈥� not wanting to sit down, lifting their feet and panting; if they feel hot, you just need to bring them in,鈥� Proudfit said. 鈥淚n this heat, they shouldn鈥檛 even be out there. Really, nobody should be out in this heat.鈥�
Know the Signs: Pet Heat Stroke
鈥� Excessive panting or drooling
鈥� Difficulty breathing
鈥� Vomiting and/or diarrhea
鈥� Stumbling, sudden collapse
鈥� 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鈥檚 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.