With a heat wave expected over the weekend, it's important to keep your pets safe.

Dean Orlando, Volunteer President of the Wildrose Humane Society, says the best thing to ensure your pet is safe is to keep them at home, out of the heat.

"The big thing is never leave your pet in a parked vehicle. If you can, keep your pets at home in a cool, safe place. Obviously, the temperature of a car on a hot day can rise up to 50 degrees celsius within just a few minutes."

Leaving your pet in a hot car can cause heat stroke or even death for your pet. Orlando says a common trick might not actually be enough.

"Opening the windows and leaving water in the vehicle is not enough."

Orlando says you should also make sure you only let your pets out for a limited amount of time in the heat, and make sure that you are careful on hot asphalt that can burn your pet's feet.

Cst. Dan Martin with the RCMP says that while they will always take an emergency call for any reason, they actually aren't the best people to call if you see a pet in distress.

"Airdrie RCMP would highly encourage if the public contact the Municipal Enforcement office with regards to animals being left in vehicles."

That allows RCMP to keep resources free to investigate criminal matters. Martin also says that you should use some common sense before making the call.

"We do attend quite a few of them and we find that windows are down a considerable amount. Sometimes vehicles are left on with air conditioning running and the dogs are not in distress."

If you do see an animal in distress, you can phone Municipal Enforcement at 403-948-8892.

 

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