DURING this scorching summer long-haired Dubbo City Animal Shelter resident Wolfie is kept cool in many different ways by staff in an effort to prevent heat stroke.
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Icepacks, full water bowls, wet towels, a misting fan and hosed down kennels are all used to keep the cats and dogs of the Dubbo pound cool in the heatwave.
This is a regular procedure for the benefit of animals at the RSPCA-run Dubbo City Animal Shelter, according to supervisor Kristy Forrest.
"We do it in the hot weather and when it gets super hot," she said.
Wolfie enjoyed the cool kennel that had just been hosed down while playing with available icepacks with Ms Forrest.
Pet owners across Dubbo were urged by RSPCA NSW to go to the same lengths for their four-legged friends as for themselves.
RSPCA NSW have issued some summer pet tips for owners:
o Do not leave your animal locked in a hot car.
Even if you think leaving a window down slightly might help it takes only a few minutes for your animal to suffer heat stress.
If your dog is older, has heart or respiratory problems or is a breed with a short flat face (especially bulldogs) then take even more care.
o Ensure your pet has shade and water (kept in a cool place that cannot be knocked over).
o Ensure that a patio or verandah area is available if no shade is available in your yard.
o Place ice cubes in with your pets water to keep it cool during the day.
o Clip thick or long haired dogs to keep them cool during summer months.
o Ensure that white or fair skinned dogs do not sunbake in the yard, especially between 10am and 4pm in summer.
o Do not exercise dogs in the heat of the day (choose before 8am and after 6pm in the summer).
Exercising dogs at this time can lead to heat stress.
It can even be fatal for some dogs, especially those with squashed faces or suffering from heart or respiratory disease.
Dubbo City Animal Shelter is located on the corner of Yarrandale and Boothenba roads.
