This should really go without saying, but...

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE. MARIE POLICE SERVICE

*************************
As summer approaches and the weather warms concern for pet safety is also on the rise.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has begun to receive calls with concern for pets left in unattended vehicles.

Here are some tips on keeping your pet safe. 

Summer Pet Safety Tips

Never leave your pets in a parked car. 

It should go without saying, but it happens all the time. 

People think they’ll be in the store for “just be a minute,” and that’s all it can take for internal car temperatures to skyrocket. 

On an 85 degree day, for example, it can reach 120 degrees inside a car within 10 minutes. 

High temps mean you pet can suffer organ damage or die.

Humidity can be dangerous.

Pets are affected by humidity as well as ambient temperature. 

Dogs and cats pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which removes heat from their bodies. 

If the humidity is too high, they can’t cool themselves, which is dangerous. 

If unsure, take your dog’s temperature, and be sure it doesn’t exceed 104 degrees.

Watch the walking and other exercise.

Use caution when exercising and playing with your pet. 

When it’s hot, walk the dog or play with the cat in the early morning or evening hours. 

Don’t forget that asphalt gets very hot on your pet’s paws, so walk your dog on the grass if you can.

Bring water for both you and your canine friend on any outing, and be mindful that dogs with white-coloured ears are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets may have difficulty breathing in the warm weather.

*************************