FLORENCE, SC – With temperatures reaching almost one hundred degrees almost every day this week, it’s an important time to remember your pets.
At the Florence Humane Society, the summer temperatures are quickly rising and staff members have to find ways to keep the animals cool.
For Shelter Supervisor, Wendy Wilton, it’s all about finding creative solutions, like frozen dog treats.
“The plastic gets nice and cold. The food inside is frozen. It’s like kids eating a popsicle. They enjoy it, so, it gives them something to do but it also cools them down,” said Wilton.
She says they put food inside the dog toys and put them in the freezer. It’s one of their many tips to keep dogs cool this summer.
Wilton says this time of year, it’s important to keep track of how long pets stay outside and to make sure they have enough food and water.
Temperatures this week have been right around one hundred degrees in most parts of the Pee Dee, but animal control says that’s nothing compared to what it feels like inside a hot car.
Faith Krepps with animal control says that’s concerning because as the temperature rises, they receive more calls about pets trapped inside hot cars.
“People are leaving, you know, their animals in the car. They don’t realize how hot it can get inside the car. Just because it’s ninety degrees outside, you know, it may be 130 degrees in the car,” said Krepps.
She says people who report seeing pets inside hot cars, can save those animal’s lives.
“We only have so many people that work here. We only have so many animal control officers. They can’t see everything that’s going on in Florence. So, we need those calls to come in and we need people to keep an eye out for the animals,” said Krepps.
Wilton says it’s important to remember dogs and cats don’t have the ability to sweat like humans. So, they aren’t able to properly cool off as temperatures continue to rise. She says that’s why it’s important to keep an eye out for your pets at home and others that may be forgotten.
Wilton says the Florence Humane Society is always looking for foster homes and donations, especially in the summer months. She says their biggest needs right now are box fans and kiddie swimming pools.