As summer officially begins, RSPCA South Australia is alerting the public about the heightened risks domestic animals face due to predicted record-high temperatures. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology forecasts that some regions, including South Australia, may experience the hottest summer on record, with maximum temperatures likely to exceed average levels.
RSPCA SA expects a rise in cruelty reports during extreme heat, as animals often suffer from lack of water, shelter, or are left in hot cars. Andrea Lewis, Head of Animal Welfare at RSPCA, emphasizes the importance of safeguarding pets from overheating and dehydration.
To protect domestic animals during the heat, RSPCA SA recommends:
Providing shelter from the sun and air-conditioned spaces for pets.
Ensuring multiple sources of water are available and kept cool.
Avoiding transport of animals in vehicles.
Never leaving animals unattended in vehicles.
Not placing dogs in the trays of utes or trucks.
Avoiding walks during the hottest parts of the day.
Additionally, RSPCA encourages the public to support wildlife by placing shallow bowls of fresh water in shaded areas. These simple actions can help prevent suffering among both domestic and wild animals during the sweltering summer months.