Alert: Hot Dog Warning
The following Public Service Announcement is brought to you in part by RedRover, MyDogIsCool, and the sweltering staff at North Portland Veterinary Hospital.
Heat stroke is a very serious problem that can occur when weather gets nicer (or temperatures climb). In Portland we are lucky to not have to deal with heat issues all that often. However, that does mean that we need to study up on what to do in these oddly hot days. And what makes for a “hot day” you wonder?
| How Long Does It Take For A Car to Get Hot? | ||
| Outside Temperature* | Time It Takes To Heat Up… | Temperature* Inside Vehicle |
| 75 | 10 minutes | 100 |
| 75 | 30 minutes | 120 |
| 85 | 5 minutes | 90 |
| 85 | 7-10 minutes | 100 |
| 85 | 30 minutes | 120 |
| 90 | 20 minutes | 120 |
| 100 | 15 minutes | 140 |
*Temperature measured in degrees Fahrenheit.
The greenhouse effect will raise the temperature inside a vehicle quickly. Hot doggie breath (remember: panting is how dogs cool themselves — they cannot sweat) will add to the humidity making high temperatures feel even hotter. Poor pup, trying to cool off only compounds the problem. Having the windows cracked, or parking in the shade even, will have very little impact on the inside temperature.
Heat Stroke Study Guide
If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, call the local animal control agency, police or 911 right away. In Multnomah County, call 503-988-7387 and select option 1 if you see an animal is in imminent danger. If you have less pressing concerns about an animal’s welfare, you can contact Oregon Humane Society’s Investigations team.
If possible, you can also try to find the dog’s owner. Signs an animal is in distress include:
- Excessive panting
- Excessive drooling
- Increased heart rate
- Trouble breathing
- Disorientation
- Collapse or loss of consciousness
- Seizure
- Respiratory arrest
At least 14 states and many municipalities have laws that specifically address the problem of animals left in cars in extreme temperatures. These laws often authorize law enforcement officials to enter a vehicle and remove the animal. Even states without these provisions may consider leaving an animal in an enclosed car to be animal cruelty.
In Portland, you must call police or animal control to retrieve the animal, attempting to do so independently may be construed as a crime.
On The 7 O’Clock Mews
This past Thursday, there was excitement aplenty at North 
Portland Veterinary Hospital.
Just after 7 am, some kittens found themselves in the road just down the street from our office. Initially thought to have been thrown from a moving vehicle, the latest developments indicate that the kittens may have been stowaways. Oregon Humane Society is investigating.
One of these kittens found her way to us for treatment and fostering, we call her “Penny On The Block.” News crews from Channels 2, 8, and 12 came by to get the scoop, interviewing Kim F. our camera-ready CVT and getting footage of Penny. Kitten abandonment and abuse rarely make headlines, but we suddenly found ourselves at the epicenter of a public interest piece.
Immediately after the story aired, the phone started ringing off the hook. People wanted to know more information about the vehicle, some desperately wanted to adopt the grey and white survivor, and others just wanted understand how this could happen.
Regardless of how the litter of kittens came to be in the middle of Peninsular, they bring home the message that there is a huge surplus pet population in Portland. The sad reality is that animals are abandoned everyday, in fields and parks, at empty houses, schools, and veterinary hospitals. If you’d like to help:
- Have your pets spayed and neutered. Encourage friends and family members to do the same for their pets.
- Call Oregon Humane Society, or other rescue organizations, and ask to volunteer with their group and become a foster parent to other abandoned or injured pets. They need lots of help.
- Support groups like Feral Cat Coalition, who provide spay and neuter services for feral or stray cats.
- When you witness a case of abuse or neglect, call the Oregon Humane Society and file a report with their officer.
Attention Bunny People
Hello Lagomorpha (Bunny) Lovers – Feel the Love!
We have some exciting news from Oregon Humane Society to share with you. If you have a social rabbit who is happiest when meeting new people, then you just might have a budding therapy bunny. Our Animal-Assisted Interactions program at OHS is mainly comprised of dogs; however, social and friendly rabbits with proper training are welcome to become an AAI Pet Partner too. If you’d like to learn more, please come to this free (donations always welcome) introductory class.
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 12th from 7pm to 8pm for attending our Introductory Class About Rabbits as Therapy Animals in the Ehmann classroom at OHS. Please RSVP by emailing jennifersh@oregonhumane.org. Please leave your rabbits at home for this class.
OHS will also host a two hour hands-on training workshop with your rabbits on Saturday, May 29th from 11am to 1pm in our Manners Hall classroom. This class will teach you how to train your rabbit to become a charming, well behaved good citizen Pet Partner. Have fun with your rabbit. Registration is online and the fee is $35.
Both classes are taught by Oregon Humane Society Animal-Assisted Interactions volunteer Sarah Baran. She’s certified through the Delta Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving human health through therapy and service animals.
Oregon Humane Society, Animal Medical & Learning Center, 1067 NE Columbia Blvd, Portland, OR 97211. 503.285.7722
