RSPCA gets 191 calls in just 5 days about pets in heat

Kitten taken to beach by owners on a hot day Credit: RSPCA

The RSPCA has received 191 calls in just five days from concerned members of the public who were worried about how animal were coping in the heat, as temperatures soared above above 30*C.

In one case a kitten had been taken a on a 200-mile round trip to the beach at Bournemouth on the hottest day of the year so far, to the surprise of RSPCA Inspector Graham Hammond. He responded to a call from a worried member of the public. The caller has raised concerns about a cat in a tent with a family on the beach.

It was one of 72 calls that day from people worried about animals in the heat.

The kitten was not the only animal the inspector saw at the popular tourist hotspot.

Meanwhile in Kent, RSPCA inspector found Belle the dog, with sunburnt ears and painful burns on the pads of her feet. The pet had become injured during this week's hot weather, making it very painful for her to walk.

A vet gave Belle pain relief and treatment for the burns on her pads. Now the dog has been transferred to an RSPCA centre where she will have ongoing medical care.

The RSPCA has shared some advice for pet owners on how to take care of their animals in hot weather:

  • Fill paddling pools with water so dogs can splash and play - but don’t force them in as some find water frightening!

  • Dogs and horses need exercise, even when it’s hot - but avoid exercising them during the hottest parts of the day.

  • Pavements can get very hot in the warm weather - if it’s too hot to touch with your hand, then it’s too hot for a dog’s paws.

  • Snakes are most active in June and July so don’t be alarmed if you see one in the wild. Most tend to shy away from people.

  • Transportation of animals in hot weather should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. If animals are housed during hot weather, buildings must be adequately ventilated and monitored regularly

  • Don’t let your pet get sunburnt - use pet-safe sun cream.

  • Ensure animals have access to shade and fresh drinking water.

  • Check every day for flystrike.

  • Keep fish tanks out of direct sunlight and top up water levels of ponds.

  • Keep an eye out for wildlife when using lawnmowers or strimmers.

  • Keep pesticides out of reach of animals.

  • Wrap an ice pack or frozen water bottle in a tea towel or make a towel wet for your pet to lie on.

  • Use cold treats from the fridge for added moisture or make an ice lolly from pet-friendly ingredients.

The RSPCA charity offers tips and seasonal advice for ownerson how to help and care for animals during the Summer months.