13212 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue, WA 98005 Seattle Humane Society
Having trouble? View this message online

 SHS-LOGO_2014_Color - Copy.jpg

SEATTLE HUMANE PRAISES LAW PROTECTING PETS IN HOT CARS

New Law to Go into Effect in Washington State on July 24, 2015

hr bar red

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22, 2015

Seattle animal lovers will be happy to learn that a new law protecting pets left in hot cars goes into effect on Friday, July 24 in Washington State.  It will now be a class two civil infraction "to leave or confine any animal unattended in an enclosed vehicle or confined space if the animal could be harmed or killed by exposure to excessive heat, cold, lack of ventilation, or lack of necessary water." A person could additionally be convicted of animal cruelty.
This law gives police and animal control officers the authority to free an animal (and be protected from liability resulting from property damage) under any means reasonable to protect the health and safety of an animal they reasonably believe is suffering or is likely to suffer harm. 

“Leaving a pet in a closed, hot vehicle could result in a broken car window, distressed or dead animal, veterinary bills, a fine, and even a criminal conviction,” said legal consultant Paul Sullivan, in a blog post on MRSC Local Government Success,

Seattle Humane reminds owners this can happen on a seemingly mild summer day in the Puget Sound. According to Senior Staff Veterinarian Dr. Nick Urbanek, “Even at 70 degrees, the interior of a car can rise to 160 degrees in less than five minutes. Parking in the shade with the windows cracked can still be dangerous on hot days,” he adds.

 

Protect food pads

 Dr. Urbanek explains that foot pads contain sweat glands (to keep the animal cool) and the feet are particularly vulnerable to hot surfaces. Sidewalks, pavement, sand, and especially black asphalt can reach blistering temperatures in direct sunlight and cause nasty burns on your pet’s feet.
Signs of burned foot pads include:

• Limping or refusing to walk
• Foot pads appearing darker in color than usual
• Raw, red or blistered foot pads
• Licking or chewing on the feet

Dr. Urbanek urges owners to take preventative measures and protect their pet’s feet by walking earlier in the day and choosing grassy paths or shady areas. Water is refreshing but tender foot pads softened from prolonged water exposure can burn more easily. Dog owners should take extra care to protect dogs’ feet from hot surfaces after water play.

 

Prevent heat stroke

 A dog’s normal body temperature ranges from 101 to 102.5 degrees. Dogs can withstand a body temperature of 107 to 108 degrees for only a very short period of time before suffering brain damage — or even death.

“A pet with a shorter nose, like a Persian cat, a Pug or a Bulldog, is more susceptible to heatstroke than breeds with longer noses,” says Dr. Urbanek.

Owners should always error on the side of caution.  “If you suspect that your pet has suffered from a heat stroke, seek veterinary attention immediately,” Urbanek urges.
“Use cool, not iced, water to cool down your pet. Very cold water will cause constriction of the blood vessels and impede cooling.  Even if your animal appears cooled, do not assume everything is fine. Internal organs such as liver, kidneys, and the brain are affected by elevated body temperatures and blood tests and a veterinary examination are needed to assess this.”

Signs of heat stroke include:
•    Heavy panting
•    Excessive drooling
•    Increased body temperature
•    Dehydration
•    Reddened gums or tongue
•    Rapid heartbeat
•    Vomiting and diarrhea
•    Lethargy

NFL player simulates danger

The topic of dogs in hot cars was taken up by Arizona Cardinals safety Tyron Mathieu in a recent Public Service Announcement. Mathieu sweated it out as long as he could in a car parked in the sun to demonstrate how quickly your pet can be in danger. After eight minutes – a shorter time than most people use to run errands – Mathieu stumbled from the car, woozy from the heat.

"I seriously couldn't imagine leaving my dog in the car like this," Mathieu said.

 

For more information:

Rhonda Manville
VP of Marketing
(425) 274-1513
Rhonda@seattlehumane.org

Laura Follis
Media Relations Specialist
(425) 274-1501
LauraF@seattlehumane.org


Hot Cars

 

ABOUT Seattle Humane
Founded in 1897, Seattle Humane proudly promotes the human-animal bond by saving and serving pets in need. We provide adoption services 7 days a week, plus pet workshops and training, a pet food bank, a low-fee spay/neuter surgery program, humane teen club, a visiting pets program and more. Seattle Humane is located in Bellevue, at 13212 SE Eastgate Way. For directions and more information, visit www.seattlehumane.org or call (425) 641-0080.

SHSFinalLogo_NoTagline.jpg

Visit us on Facebook  blog icon Twitter  Watch our videos on YouTube  Follow us on Pinterest

  Visit our web site | Unsubscribe | Forward to a Friend

 

13212 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue, WA 98005 tel: 425.641.0080 | fax: 425.747.2985
 Humane Society 2024 . All rights reserved.

 

Powered By Blackbaud

If you have questions, please contact Donor Services at (425) 373-5382 or donations@seattlehumane.org.

Follow us on social media!