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Great Plains SPCA (GPSPCA), a no-kill animal shelter in the Kansas City area serving 6,000 pets annually, and Kansas City, Kanas Animal Services (KCKAS), have issued an urgent warning via social media to pet owners and animal advocates in the Kansas City metro area about dog deaths due to heat exposure. In the past two days, in two high-profile situations, at least two dogs have died from heat exposure, one in Kanas City, KS, where a dog was left in a hot car, and one in Kansas City, MO, where the dog was left in the sun on a porch.
GPSPCA and KCKAS are making a plea to the public to do everything to prevent these deaths, including protecting their own dogs by bringing them inside and giving them shade and water when outside, reporting dogs in danger to their local animal control agency (link to these agencies can be found here) and following the Kansas statewide “Good Samaritan” law. GPSPCA’s HERO team will also provide supplies to owners of pets in need including tarps to create shade, water bowls and other supplies. Requests can be made at info@greatplainsspca.org.
GPSPCA Chief Executive Officer, Tam Singer, said, “The hot humid weather that we are experiencing now is extremely dangerous. A dog cannot open a car door themselves. A dog cannot open the gate to let themselves off the porch. We must be their advocates. This is a serious and critical situation.”
Dr. Michelle Taylor, Chief Veterinarian for GPSPCA, describes the process of dying from heat exposure as “a horrible, miserable death.” The only way a dog can cool itself down is by panting and when there is only hot air to breathe, as in a closed car, a dog overheats quickly. She states that the physiological process includes clotting disorders, multi-organ failure, and then the brain overheats, seizures result and the dog’s body shuts down and the dog dies after immense suffering.
KCKAS Director, Jennifer Stewart, says, “If you see something, say something! Animal Services or police dispatch should be called immediately so your concerns can be reported. While staffing is minimal due to furloughs, animal neglect calls are our top priority and take precedence along with injured animal calls and bite injuries. Each neglect call is investigated and we work within legal parameters to ensure the safety and welfare of the animal. When possible, we will work with the animal’s owner to educate them on proper pet care and coordinate resources from outreach groups to keep the animal with their family.”
Additional educational graphics about how to protect dogs in the heat provided by Great Plains SPCA are attached:
- Keeping your dog cool
- Dogs on hot pavement
- Signs of heatstroke in dogs
- General how to beat the heat with your dog
About Great Plains SPCA
Great Plains SPCA is a no-kill animal shelter in Merriam, Kansas serving 6,000 community pets annually. Great Plains SPCA works to save, protect and improve the lives of animals, while strengthening the relationship between pets and their human companions by providing humane sheltering, adoptions, community outreach and behavior and training. Great Plains SPCA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information, please visit greatplainsspca.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About Kansas City, Kansas Animal Services
Kansas City, Kansas Animal Services is a no-kill municipal shelter that serves nearly 4,000 animals and community pets annually. KCK Animal Services works with our community to reunite lost pets and to educate citizens on proper pet ownership. We have built strong relationships with community outreach groups that offer supplies to help keep pets healthy and safe.
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