McHenry County Government: Keeping Pets Safe During Hot Weather (Heatwaves)

Press release from the McHenry County Government:

07/29/2021 3:48 PM

McHenry County Animal Control reminds pet owners to never leave animals in a car unattended, especially in hot weather.

Hundreds of pets die of heat exhaustion each year after being left in parked cars, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

With the forecast calling for high temperatures over the next week, MCAC urges pet owners to avoid leaving their pets unattended in cars for any amount of time. Maryellen Howell, Veterinary Public Health manager for McHenry County, offers these tips, adapted from SPCA-LA, to keep pets safe in warm weather:

Do not leave your pet in a hot car: It is against the law to leave an unattended animal in a hot car. The temperature inside a car can rise quickly, reaching up to 160 degrees or more. Even with the windows down, studies show that the inside of a car can get up to 15 degrees warmer than outside temperatures.

If you see an animal left alone in a vehicle, call your local law enforcement for immediate help.

Provide water and shade: Make sure plenty of water is available to your pet at all times even when they are indoors, and especially when they are outside. While outdoors, be sure to find cool, shady spots for your pet. Trimming dogs’ coats can help them stay cooler, but never shave them because their fur provides sun protection for their skin.

Avoid heat when possible: Hot asphalt can burn the sensitive pads on pets’ paws. Avoid this by walking on grass or dirt and keeping your pet indoors during the heat of the day, which also helps prevent overheating and sunburn. Provide cool areas in your home as well, like floor tiles or bathtubs, which pets will often seek out.

Watch for signs of heatstroke: Know the signs of overheating. This can look like excessive panting, fatigue, disorientation, glazed eyes, unsteadiness, vomiting, or seizures.

If you notice these symptoms, seek veterinary help immediately and attempt to lower the animal’s body temperature by moving them to shade, offering lukewarm water to drink, and slowly applying cool water to them. Do not put them in ice cold water, as this could cause shock.

If an animal is in immediate distress, law enforcement should be notified right away. Animal welfare concerns can be reported to McHenry County Animal Control at 815-459-6222.

For more information, visit McHenry County Animal Control’s weather tips page.

This press release was produced by the McHenry County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.