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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 23rd June 2010
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Dogs Die in Hot Cars
The Kennel Club is among one of the many animal welfare charities urging pet owners to never leave a dog in the car alone, especially in this hot weather.

Even on just a warm day, the charity says, leaving the windows open and supplying water can make little difference, as a car can still heat up all too quickly to around 50°C even when there are clouds around.
 
Caroline Kisko, the Kennel Club’s Communications Director says: “We all know how hot cars can get during the summer. Whether in the sun or the shade, cars heat up quickly and it can often be unbearable for us before the air-conditioning comes into effect, never mind dogs.
 
“Dogs can only cool down by panting and sweating through their paws, so they will find the heat far worse than humans. Owners are urged not to think that dogs can handle heat like we can and to realise that it is never safe to leave the dog in the car alone, weather the windows are open or not.”
 
The Kennel Club ‘Open for Dogs’ campaign encourages more businesses to accept dogs, avoiding the need to leave them unattended in hot cars. Thousands of dog-friendly attractions are currently listed on the website www.openfordogs.org.uk.

Some top tips for dog owners:
 
ALWAYS
  • Consider the weather and your journey in advance, especially if you don’t have air conditioning in your car. Think about whether the journey is absolutely necessary for your dog.
  • Make sure your dog has plenty of space in the car and isn’t squashed or forced to sit in direct sunlight.
  • Always make sure there is shade provided: even in an air conditioned car a dog can become too hot if in full sun.
  • Make sure plenty of stops are taken with lots of water available to drink.
  • Take cold water in a thermos rather than a plastic bottle so it stays cold rather than being lukewarm. Ice cubes are helpful in a thermos for cooling too.
 
NEVER
  • Leave a dog unattended in a car, even with the window open and water available. Take them out of the car and leave them in a secure, cool place with access to shade and water.
  • Let your dog take part in unnecessary exertion in hot weather, or stand in exposed sunlight for extended lengths of time.
  • Pass by a dog if you see one suffering in a car. Whether it be in a supermarket car park or at a show, make sure you let someone in authority know and if in doubt call the police or the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.