HSU & Salt Lake County Animal Services Team Up To Raise Awareness About Dogs in Hot Cars

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 8, 2022

Media Alert 

The Humane Society of Utah and Salt Lake County Animal Services Team Up To Raise Awareness About Dogs in Hot Cars

Murray — Utah, Aug. 9, 2022 — The Humane Society of Utah (HSU) and Salt Lake County Animal Services are hosting the Beat the Heat event on Aug 9, 2022, at 4242 South 300 West in Murray from 12-2 pm. Bill Allred from The Radio From Hell Show on X96 will be sitting in a car and sharing his experience as the temperatures start to rise. Icy Mountain Food Truck will be on-site for the event. HSU will be handing out free windshield sunshades while supplies last and coupons for 50% off adoptions at HSU for the month of Aug. Salt Lake County Animal Services is currently doing Pick Your Price adoptions on all cats, kittens, guinea pigs, and rabbits until the end of August. Salt Lake County Animal Services will have an officer on-site to answer questions. 

Enforcement agencies are legally able to gain access to animals in distress in vehicles, but this is not currently a legal option for regular citizens. The Humane Society of Utah seeks to expand who has that right to rescue to include any citizen. HSU hopes to work with Salt Lake County Animal Services on the best path forward on this issue. 

Thirty-one states have laws that either prohibit leaving an animal in a confined vehicle under dangerous conditions or provide civil immunity (protection from being sued) for a person who rescues a distressed animal from a vehicle. Unfortunately, Utah is not one of those states. 

Recognize the symptoms of overheating in pets:

• excessive panting or difficulty breathing 
• increased heart and respiratory rate, excessive drooling 
• mild weakness, stupor, collapse, or even seizures 
• bloody diarrhea and vomit
• elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees

Animals with flat faces, like Bulldogs of any variety, Boxers, Pugs, and Persian cats, are more susceptible to overheating. Due to their shorter noses, they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with seniors and those who are overweight or suffer from heart or lung diseases, should be kept in cooler areas as much as possible.

Suggested Tweet: Join @UtahHumane and @SLCoAnimals as they team up for the Beat the Heat event to raise awareness about the dangers of pets in hot cars. (insert your link) 

Post-event photos and videos for media use will be uploaded here.

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About the Humane Society of Utah

The Humane Society of Utah is dedicated to the elimination of pain, fear, and suffering in all animals. Since 1960, the Utah Humane Society has been sheltering homeless animals, fighting cruelty and neglect, and creating an atmosphere of respect, responsibility, and compassion for all animals. As the largest open-admission private animal resource center in the state, the Utah Humane Society welcomes any companion animal that can legally be admitted. We work hard to ensure that every healthy and treatable pet that enters the facility will be placed into a loving home. The Humane Society of Utah is a local, independent 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization that does not receive any state or government funding and is not a branch of any national organization. It is funded by the contributions of individuals, businesses, and foundations. Read more online at www.utahhumane.org.

4242 South 300 West Murray, UT 84107 / 801-261-2919 / UtahHumane.org / @utahhumane 

About Salt Lake County Animal Services

Salt Lake County Animal Services adopted a No-Kill philosophy in 2010. Our mission is to provide comprehensive service and care to the animals and citizens we serve in the Salt Lake County Municipal Services District and the cities of Bluffdale, Holladay, Midvale, Millcreek, Murray, and Salt Lake.

511 West 3900 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84123 / 385-GOT-PETS / adoptutapets.org / @saltlakecountyanimalservices