Think Twice Before Bringing Pets to Outdoor Festivals This Summer

It’s summertime in Athens, which means lots of fun outdoor festivals. Pet owners tend to take these opportunities as a cue to get their dogs out of the house, but you may want to think twice about bringing Rover with you. AthFest suggests not bringing your dog because of grass scarcity and the problem of waste disposal. But there’s a more pressing reason you should be concerned about—your pet’s health.

We can quickly become hot at events, but imagine wearing a fur coat and not being able to sweat! Animals can succumb to heat stroke in a matter of minutes if their body temperatures rise above 106 degrees, and humidity exasperates the problem. Have you walked outside lately? Temperatures have been well into the 90’s, which can be dangerous for dogs and present the potential for heat stroke.

“Signs of heat stroke are intense, rapid panting, wide eyes, salivating, staggering and weakness,” says United Animal Nations (now RedRover). If your pet has these symptoms, treat it immediately.  

Other things to keep in mind: your pets’ paw pads can burn on the asphalt (try walking around barefoot and see how it feels), some dogs become nervous or get stepped on in crowds, and uncompassionate people may be mean to animals left unattended.

If you find it necessary to bring your pet, take a bowl and plenty of water, keep your pet out of direct sunlight when possible, and find cool indoor spots to cool off periodically. For more information, visit MyDogIsCool.com.


*I wrote this letter to the editor for the Athens-Banner Herald last week before AthFest, but alas it did not get published. I still think it's a very important message, and it's relevant to all outdoor activities in this summer's incredible heat and humidity. So I hope that you will take this message to heart and will share it with your pet-owning friends and family.

Keep Your Dog Cool

As I was leaving a store today, I noticed a SUV in the back of the parking lot with its windows cracked and two large dogs sitting on the front seats inside. The weather here today is in the mid to high 70’s and sunny, so after just a few minutes of being in the store, my car was already pretty toasty. Seeing the dog was a reminder of the United Animal Nation’s My Dog Is Cool campaign. They have a great website with information about the seriousness of leaving your dog in the car when it’s hot outside.

Here’s a clip from My Dog Is Cool:

“A little heat outside a car can quickly make it very hot inside. On a summer's day of only 85 degrees Fahrenheit, for example, even keeping the windows slightly open won't stop the inside temperature from climbing to 102 degrees in 10 minutes, and to 120 degrees in 20 minutes. A dog whose body temperature rises to 107-108 degrees will within a very short time suffer irreparable brain damage—or even death.”

The site has flyers and brochures, and I like to print a few of the flyers to keep in my car during the spring and summer months. Why? I put them on the windshields of cars with dogs in them on hot days. It may sound a bit “out there” to do this, but I’m not trying to be mean--owners may genuinely not realize the seriousness of leaving their companions is the car for what seems to only be a few minutes.

“If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, call the local animal control agency, police, or 911 right away. If possible, you can also try to find the dog's owner.
Signs an animal is in distress include:

• Excessive panting
• Excessive drooling
• Increased heart rate
• Trouble breathing
• Disorientation
• Collapse or loss of consciousness
• Seizure
• Respiratory arrest” 

* MyDogIsCool.com

Remember to think twice before loading up your car and your pet for a trip around town—be sure your dog’s safety is a priority, even if he’ll be bummed about staying home for the day. And if it’s a good day to get your dog out, don’t forget to bring along plenty of water (and a bowl) to keep him/her hydrated!