The RSPCA is poised for a huge increase in the number of calls to its emergency hotline as more hot weather arrives this July – the worst month for incidents of dogs being left in hot cars.
The animal welfare charity – which works alongside 11 other animal charities and organisations to raise awareness of the dangers of leaving pets in hot cars – is predicting a peak in reports of animals suffering in the heat during the month of July – after receiving a huge 2,065 calls in June.
Each year, the RSPCA receives thousands of calls from concerned members of the public reporting animals in hot environments and pets suffering from heat exposure – the majority of which concern dogs left in hot cars. Last year, there were 7,187 reports to the charity’s emergency hotline – with 23% of all those calls coming in just one month.
On the Isle of Wight, 35 calls were made to the RSPCA emergency hotline in 2016 about animals in hot environments. Only Herefordshire and Rutland had less calls.
Every year, the charity sees a surge in calls in July – with call-handlers dealing with more than 1,600 calls in the peak summer month in 2016, 18% more reports than any other month.
The RSPCA encourages owners to take extra care of their pets in the hot weather. Animals need constant access to fresh water and shade, and dog walkers should avoid exercising their pets during the hottest part of the day.
The charity’s key aim, through the Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign, though, is to raise awareness of the dangers of leaving pets in hot environments such as vehicles, conservatories and outbuildings during the warm weather. If anyone sees an animal in distress in a hot car, the advice is to call 999.
