photo by Colleen Crain
Photo by Brooke Thorington
As temperatures in the high 90s sweep through the state, climbing to over 100 degrees in the heat index, the Humane Society of Louisiana is urging pet and livestock owners to provide extra care to keep their animals from getting heat stroke. HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says you should be mindful of your furry friends in the heat even as you relax in the AC.
“You know, they could be in the sun, they’re having a fur coat on… are they in a shaded area? Do they have water? Can you bring them in?” he says.
Heat stroke in animals can happen in five to ten minutes. Dorson says animals will let you know if they’re too hot by panting and whining, among other symptoms. If one of your animals is suffering from heat stroke, Dorson says time is of the essence.
“It’s up to you to act quickly,” he adds. “Cool them off; move them to an area [that’s] well-ventilated; cool them down with cool water, not ice water necessarily.”
HSLA is reminding people not to walk their pets on hot cement or sidewalks. Additionally, Dorson says you should never leave pets in cars or in crates outside, as that basically amounts to a death sentence for the animal.
“Imagine you being in a vehicle,” he says. “It’s 20 to 25 degrees hotter than it is outside, so you’re looking at 110 to 120 degrees.”
Failure to properly take care of an animal could result in legal consequences.
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