Urgent From PETA: Hot-Weather Survival Tips for Animals in Austin

For Immediate Release:
June 9, 2020

Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382

With a heat advisory in effect for the Austin area, animals—who can quickly succumb to heatstroke if left outdoors or in a parked car—are at risk. Three dogs have died in just the last two weeks after being left in hot cars, and with dogs being brought to protests and COVID-19 prolonging store wait times and errands, PETA is concerned that this summer could see an unprecedented number of hot weather–related animal deaths.

Anyone who leaves animals outside to suffer in severe weather may be prosecuted for cruelty. With protests currently sweeping the country, this reminder is especially important for dogs, who need to rehydrate frequently and may quickly overheat and burn their paws on hot pavement.

The following tips will help keep animal companions safe in hot weather:

• Never leave an animal inside a hot vehicle. Temperatures can quickly soar in parked cars, and a dog trapped inside can die from heatstroke within minutes—even if the car is in the shade with the windows slightly open, which has little to no effect on lowering the temperature inside the car. PETA offers an emergency window-breaking hammer for help with intervening in life-or-death situations.
• Keep animals indoors, and leave them at home when it’s hot outside. Unlike humans, dogs can sweat only through their footpads and cool themselves by panting, so even brief sun exposure can have life-threatening consequences. Anyone who sees animals in distress and is unable to help should note their locations and alert authorities immediately.
• Avoid hot pavement. When outdoor temperatures reach the 80s, asphalt temperatures can climb to 140 degrees, causing pain, burns, and permanent damage to dogs’ paws after just a few minutes of contact. Walk dogs on grass whenever possible, and avoid walking in the middle of the day. Never run with dogs in hot weather—they’ll collapse before giving up, at which point, it may be too late to save them.

PETA has released a warm-weather public service announcement featuring Mckenna Grace. For more information, visit PETA.org.