Summer Safety – Dogs In Cars
As the temperatures in Southern California continue to rise it’s important to keep our pets safe. This includes never leaving your dog in a parked car, even for just a few minutes. A car parked in the shade or in the direct sunlight on a warm day can quickly reach dangerous temperatures. It doesn’t take very long at all for a dog to succumb to heatstroke or worse. Sadly, thousands of dogs die every year from being left in hot cars.
If you see a dog trapped in a parked car this summer there are several things that you can do to help. For example, if you know the owner, you can gently let them know that their pet is hot. Most of the time people are unaware of the dangers of leaving their pet unattended in a hot car and this is a great way to begin that conversation with them.
If you see a dog alone in a parked car and you do not know who it belongs to, try speaking with the establishment’s store manager or customer service department. Most of the time they are eager to help you locate the dog’s owner or contact animal control for you. If this is not an option, you can call your local animal control or the police for assistance. Remember that every minute counts when a pet is locked in a hot car.
Bystanders are often the eyes and ears to aid in the prevention of animal abuse and neglect. Getting involved makes a huge difference, especially for those that do not have a voice of their own. If you are uncomfortable reporting a problem, please find assistance from a store manager, animal control, the police, friends or family members.
If you take your pet with you this summer, at some point you might need to stop to run some errands. Whenever possible have a family member stay in the car with your dog with the air conditioner running. If you are alone, you will need to find pet-friendly stores or use drive-ups.
We hope this information has been helpful as we strive to provide education on all aspects of pet care.
Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality dog and cat grooming in Orange County, California. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.
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