Latest news with #petsafety
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Ways to beat the heat when Seattle temperatures hit the 80s
The Brief People flocked to Golden Gardens and Aiki Beach to enjoy the warm weather, but authorities warn about the dangers of heat for pets, advising against leaving them in cars and midday walks on hot pavement. Cooling centers opened throughout King County, and Seattle Public Schools are taking measures to keep students cool, with air conditioning in 40% of campuses and ventilation strategies in place for others. SEATTLE - Waves crashing along the shore, the sun glistening on the water, when the sun comes out and so do the people. People of all ages found relief from the heat at Golden Gardens on Monday by the water, but the warm temperatures come with some serious warnings—especially for pets. "Hot weather for pets can be really dangerous," Madison Huffman, Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County said. She says a lot of pets are susceptible to heat stroke because of their fur. Like clockwork, this is the time of year when authorities remind folks to, of course, never leave your furry friends in the car. What they're saying "Leaving your pets in your car is actually against the law in Washington state, because it is so dangerous for our furry friends," Huffman said. "Even if it's 85 degrees out and you're leaving a pet in your car, within 30 minutes, your car can reach temperatures over 100 degrees, which can be fatal for pets." She advises pet owners to avoid taking their dog on midday walks, because the pavement can heat up and burn their paws. "Just wanted to enjoy the weather, get some reading done and tan a bit," Diesel Park said. At Aiki Beach, some people brought tents to enjoy the water and the sun. "We got a book in here, we're big card players, Frisbee, and then maybe a little nap," said Taylor, one beachgoer. "You don't get to see the mountains in the city and be on a beach anywhere," Victoria Perez said. "When you live this close you might as well take advantage of every nice day you get in Seattle." If you can't make it to the water, you can also find some relief from the heat at places like the mall or libraries around town. Dozens of cooling centers open throughout King County on Monday and through tomorrow. FOX 13 reached out to Seattle Public Schools about how they're keeping students cool on days when temperatures reach the 80's and beyond. They shared this statement: "About 40 percent of Seattle Public Schools (SPS) campuses are equipped with air conditioning and will maintain normal indoor temperatures. In schools without air conditioning, ventilation systems were activated early in the morning to cool buildings using night air to keep indoor spaces comfortable, staff are encouraged to open windows, use ceiling and/or portable desktop fans, and close shades during the day to reduce heat from sunlight." The Source Information in this story comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle reporter Shirah Matsuzawa. Search for Travis Decker: Authorities identify 'new details, new search areas' in WA Former Army squadmate shares insight into Travis Decker's military past Woman dies after Seattle house fire; arson investigation underway Miles Hudson found guilty on 2 counts of reckless driving in Seattle 11 injured after teen speeds, causes fiery crash in Lacey Man hurt after shooting near University of Washington To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.


CTV News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Never leave children and pets in hot vehicles
On warm days, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach up to 50 degrees Celsius; the SPCA says a pet can die from extreme heat in less than 20 minutes. With temperatures rising across the region, OPP are reminding residents of the risks associated with leaving children and pets in vehicles. According to police, temperatures inside a vehicle can become 20 degrees or warmer than temperatures outside within a matter of minutes. Hot car interior The temperature inside a car on an overcast day, 54C The risk can pose serious health effects on children and pets due to their bodies not being able to regulate body temperature effectively. Police say prevention measures are simple. Never leave children or animals in the car even for a short period of time, always check the back seat before locking your car, and consider dog-friendly destinations or pet-sitting services if running errands. OPP say if residents see children or pets alone in a hot car to call 911 immediately.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Cat triggers rabies alert in Lake County
People who live in Lake County may want to keep their pets inside for a while. Officials with the Florida Department of Health in Lake County are tracking rabies cases among wild animals in the area. They said the issue started after a cat-related incident in the western part of Leesburg in Lake County. It's best for people and domestic animals to steer clear of physical contact with wild animals like raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes. These animals pose a higher risk of exposure to humans and may require rabies post-exposure treatment. If you are exposed to rabies, receiving appropriate treatment after exposure will protect you from the risk of rabies. This rabies alert is for 60 days and includes the following boundaries in Lake County: · Northern boundary: Alabama Avenue · Southern boundary: North 14th St. · Eastern boundary: Edgewood Avenue · Western boundary: Oklahoma Avenue Take the following precautions to prevent rabies exposure: · Immunize your pets and livestock based on your veterinarian's recommended schedule. · Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash, and keep livestock secured on your property. If an animal bites your pet or livestock, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Lake County Animal Control at 352-343-9500. · Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract them with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans, or other food sources. If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention, and report the injury to DOH-Lake by calling 352-221-2609 or after hours at 352-250-7329. · Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. · Call your local animal control agency to remove stray animals from your neighborhood. Contact Lake County Animal Control at 352-343-9500 · Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, schools, and other areas where they might contact people and pets. For more information on rabies, please visit this site. Or contact DOH-Lake at 352-771-5500. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.


CTV News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
As temperatures rise, B.C. SPCA issues reminders about leaving pets in hot cars
A dog is seen in a car with the window rolled down slightly in this file image. With Environment and Climate Change Canada warning of hot weather on the way, the B.C. SPCA is reminding the public about the serious risks associated with leaving pets in vehicles. 'People underestimate how rapidly a vehicle can heat up to dangerous levels, putting animals at risk of fatal consequences,' said Eileen Drever, senior officer for protection and stakeholder relations with the B.C. SPCA, in a news release Friday. 'We also tend to miscalculate how long we'll be away from our cars. We think we're just running into the store for one item, but the lineups are long, we stop to chat with an acquaintance, and five minutes turns into half an hour or more while your pet suffers in the heat.' For dogs, even a few minutes in a hot car can be life-threatening, according to the B.C. SPCA. Because the animals can't sweat to cool themselves down, their body temperature rises more rapidly than a human's would. Senior dogs, those with flatter faces, and those with underlying health conditions tend to experience more challenges during hot weather, the B.C. SPCA said. Leaving the air-conditioning on or the windows down are not good options, Drever added. 'If the air conditioning fails, your pet could still be in danger,' she said. 'At the end of the day, it's best to simply leave your dog at home where there's more space, water and shade." Last year, the B.C. SPCA's Animal Helpline received 841 calls about pets left in hot cars, a total that works out to 2.3 calls per day, on average. In 2025, so far, the agency has already received 164 calls – or just over one a day. That number is expected to rise as the weather gets hotter, the B.C. SPCA said. In addition to reminding pet owners to leave their animals at home, the agency offered tips for what members of the public should do if they have concerns about an animal found sitting in a hot car. The B.C. SPCA advises taking note of the licence plate, vehicle colour, make and model, and bringing that information to nearby businesses to have the owner paged to return to their vehicle. If the animal is showing signs of distress – such as 'exaggerated panting or no panting at all, salivating, an anxious or staring expression, muscle tremors or lack of coordination, convulsions, vomiting (or) collapse' – the agency advises calling the local animal control agency, police or the B.C. SPCA Animal Helpline as soon as possible. The helpline can be reached at 855-622-7722. 'Don't ignore an animal in distress,' the agency's release reads. 'We understand life is busy, but at the very least, pass along the information to a nearby business or authority.' The B.C. SPCA also recommends against breaking the windows of the vehicle, confronting the owner or forcing the animal to consume water. 'Although most people's intentions are good when they say they would break a glass window to get an animal out of a dangerous hot car situation, it's strongly recommended you don't,' the release reads. 'Not only are you putting yourself at risk when you break a glass window, but you also risk harming the dog.' Only police officers and B.C. SPCA special provincial constables have the authority to break into a vehicle to help a pet in distress, the agency said.


CTV News
7 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Working smoke alarms credited with saving pets in Elliot Lake house fire
Working smoke alarms saved 4 pets in an Elliot Lake house fire Sunday. Fire crews found fire damage in the kitchen and smoke damage throughout the home. The cause is under investigation.