Hot weather warning for dog owners from Kennel Club

WITH temperatures set to climb over the next few days the Kennel Club has urged owners to be cautious.

With warm weather and sunshine set to sweep the UK, the Kennel Club has teamed up with a coalition of vets, rescue and rehoming charities, police, and welfare organisations to highlight the dangers of warm weather to dogs as part of the annual Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign.

The easing of lockdown, which allows people in England to travel by car for dog walks and visit some businesses like garden centres, could see more dogs left in cars – which can be fatal in warm weather, the Kennel Club warns. The organisation, which is the largest in the UK dedicated to the health and welfare of dogs, is urging all owners not to leave their dog in a car, even with the windows down, and to check before you travel – as many usually dog-friendly garden centres have changed their rules due to Covid-19.

The lockdown rules remain the same in Scotland, with a Stay at Home message in place, although the Scottish Government is set to announce some easing of lockdown next week.

“Regardless of the easing of lockdown, we would urge owners to only travel if they can ensure that their dog can be kept cool, and to check any destination they are travelling to is dog-friendly so they are never left in a vehicle,” said Bill Lambert, Head of Health and Welfare at the Kennel Club.

“Due to coronavirus, we have heard many places that are usually dog-friendly have changed their rules and unless owners are aware of this, more dogs will be left in hot cars. Please check before you travel – this situation can be The organisation has released practical tips and advice to keep dogs cool at home during the expected hot weather:

• Create a shaded space to keep your dog cool
• Give them a paddling pool to splash around in
• Add ice cubes to their water bowls
• Walk them early morning or evening and avoid the midday sun
• Walk in shaded areas

The Kennel Club has also created a hub of resources for dog owners to help with their pets during the coronavirus outbreak – which can be found at: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/coronavirus

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