Heat and humidity raise risks for pets

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Humane agents say the heat and humidity expected this week will affect pets just as it will the rest of us.

In the last 24 hours, workers with Animal Charity of Ohio say they’ve rescued five dogs in Youngstown — all of them left outdoors and badly dehydrated and malnourished.

Agents say they struggle to handle all of the calls they receive, and the heat and humidity create even more problems.

“But our priorities change in times like these, so heat calls, outdoor animal calls, skinny dog calls, those elevate to the top of the list because we know that that they are life-threatening and pretty urgent,” said Jane MacMurchy with Animal Charity of Ohio.

Agents say simply leaving water and food for your dog when it’s outside is not enough. They stress animals also need adequate shelter from the extreme conditions.

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