TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – It seems like common sense, but it’s worth repeating because it continues to happen year after year. Pets being left outside to fend for themselves in extreme weather.
It’s been a tough couple of days at the Toledo Humane Society. The cruelty investigator has brought in a number of animals who were left outside in the sweltering conditions. And since temperatures aren’t coming down anytime soon, shelter leaders are hoping to educate more pet owners about proper care in extreme conditions.
We’re only a few days into this heat wave and the weather-related calls are coming in at a steady pace.
“We’re already being inundated with calls about animals being left out in the heat. It’s becoming difficult to get to all the calls each day, so we are working extended hours to cover the extra calls,” Stephen Heaven, the President and CEO of the shelter said.
Heaven said reports about pets left in the heat are especially frustrating.
“There is absolutely no reason why animals should be outside in this weather. We brought in four dogs Monday from four different addresses that were left outside in the heat, and nobody was home,” Heaven said.
As soon as the dogs arrived at the humane society, they were checked over by the medical staff.
“All of them were very happy to be in the air conditioning with plenty of food and water. One had a medical situation that the heat aggravated and caused her some problems,” Dr. Anna Brown, the director of medical services at the humane society said.
While we were at the shelter on Tuesday, 19 puppies and an adult dog that were found outside in a Toledo yard were brought in. Heaven said two other puppies were found dead at the same property.
“I am constantly blown away by the fact that people are so irresponsible. If you are struggling and need help, reach out to us. We may be able to help,” Heaven said.
Space is often at a premium at the shelter and Heaven said these additional cases are adding more challenges.
“We have temporary housing set up in our air-conditioned garage, so we’re using every bit of space we can,” Heaven said.
Dr. Brown said your healthy pet can die in a matter of minutes because of extreme temperatures.
“Even with shelter, it doesn’t take long for your pet to become dehydrated and overheat in this kind of extreme heat. Death can rapidly follow that. It is heartbreaking how quickly they can succumb to the heat and it is 100 percent avoidable,” Dr. Brown said.
Dr. Brown said keeping your pets safe in extreme heat is simple. She said only take them out for short periods of time to go the bathroom and stay with them. Don’t walk your pet on hot pavement. She adds that even leaving them out with water is not okay because it can spill or evaporate. And remember, if you’re hot, your pet is hot.
“When it’s this hot, it is a short period of time before they become unconscious while they are looking for a place to hide out of the heat. Then the sun just cooks them, it is an awful way to go,” Dr. Brown said.
If you see a pet left outside in the heat, reach out to the Toledo Humane Society or the humane society in your area.
You can call (419) 891-0705 for THS, or click here for a link to the website.
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