Published: May 14, 2008 08:18 am            

Hot weather dangerous for animals

Readers Views

Dear Editor:

Hot weather is upon us and with the rise in temperatures comes much suffering for animals.

Dogs are descendants of the wolf, an animal who spends his days in the cool forests or in rock shelters. Just as the wolf seeks shelter from the sun so also dogs need shade.

Rather than providing shade, a dog house sitting in the sun quickly becomes an oven. Deprived of shade a dog can die a slow and painful death from heat stroke. Dog houses need to be placed under a large tree or a side porch needs to be built on the house to provide shade.

Dogs need plenty of fresh, clean water every day. Water will stay cooler and cleaner if it is in a bucket, rather than a shallow bowl. Keeping a small scrub brush by the water spigot is a good reminder to keep the bucket clean.

It is also essential that cats have fresh water available at all times.

The care of a pet ought not to be put entirely in the hands of a child — adult supervision is needed!

Many supposedly-loving pet owners make the grave error of leaving their pets in the car while they run errands during the warm months. Animals and babies are found dead every year locked in cars with the windows cracked. Even temperatures as low as 65 degrees outside can quickly soar to 120 degrees inside a car — resulting in agony and death.

Please leave your animals at home and save the car rides for the cooler months.

Spend some quality time each day with your animals — pet them, talk to them, take them for a walk. Every creature deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. Having an animal requires time and money, if you are unwilling or unable to give either, please don’t get an animal.

Each hour of each day, 12,500 dogs and cats are killed by animal control agencies in this country. You can help stop this terrible suffering by having your male and female animals neutered or spayed.



With concern,

Lucia Beeler

Celia, Ky.

        

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