With temperatures over 90 degrees predicted for mid-Michigan all weekend, the Ingham County Animal Control released a reminder urging pet owners to protect their animals from the heat. Katie Cook reports.
High temperatures can be dangerous and even deadly for animals who aren’t properly cared for.
Director of Ingham County Animal Control John Dinon advises to never leave a pet in your car alone in hot weather. Even with the windows cracked, the vehicle can reach dangerous temperatures in a very short time.
“The most important thing you need to do is make sure your pets have access at least to shade and water all the time. And if they’re an animal that gets stressed by the heat either because of their breed or their age or a medical condition, bring them inside in the air conditioning. It’s just really hot and it stresses animals just like it does people.”
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, also warns to avoid walking dogs on hot pavement, where asphalt temperatures can climb to 140 degrees, when the weather is in the 80s. They also say never run with dogs in hot weather—they'll collapse before giving up, at which point, it may be too late to save them.
