Residents are being urged to ‘slip, slop and slap’ themselves into making sure they are summer ready and safe this season.
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RSPCA Queensland has warned of the dangers of pets overheating during the weekend ahead, with temperatures forecast to sky-rocket.
An extreme heatwave is set to scorch the southeast over the next few days, and according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), temperatures will be up to 10 degrees above the average for December.
“When you get a large scale hot event like this, invariably it’s because of an upper level ridge,” BOM forecaster David Bernard said.
“It warms the atmosphere and also suppresses clouds; however, you can still get a lot of storms coming through.
“Combined with that, we’ve got winds coming from the northwest; so we’re forecasting a warmer than average summer.
“Higher than average temperatures usually happen once every summer.”
RSPCA Queensland senior inspector Lisa O’Neill encouraged residents to keep an eye on their pets over the summer break, and said an ample supply of shelter and water, as well as exercising a pooch in the early or late hours of the day, were a few of the best ways to keep your pet from overheating.
She also warned of the dangers of leaving a pet unattended in a car.
“If it’s 30 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can potentially rise to well over 40 degrees in less than five minutes,” Ms O’Neill said.
Last summer, from December 2015 to January 2016, RSPCA Queensland received 1038 animal call-outs for help, in relation to pets being left in cars.
In October, this year, 95 car call-out cases were reported – five per cent higher than the amount reported the same time last year.
“We just don’t understand how people lack the common sense to realise that it’s too hot to leave your dog in a car,” Ms O’Neill said.
“If it’s 30 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can potentially rise to well over 40 degrees in less than five minutes."
- RSPCA Queensland senior inspector Lisa O’Neill
A few key signs to heat stress include heavy panting, staggering, movement weakness, excessive thirst, glazed eyes, a bright red tongue and gums, and an increased heart beat.
To report an animal in distress, contact the RSPCA’s 24 hour Animal Emergency Hotline on 1300 ANIMAL (264 625).
For more information on how to keep your pet cool, visit the RSPCA Queensland website on www.rspcaqld.gov.au
To keep up to date with the latest weather forecast, visit the Bureau of Meteorology’s website at www.bom.gov.au
