The GSPCA is asking to please be mindful of broken glass after a number of cats have been reported to be injured.
Although it is not clear of the exact location of where the incidents occurred, the GSPCA are asking land owners to please ensure that broken glass is disposed safely to help wildlife and other animals.
Vets often see animals injured by glass and during the Spring and Summer months more animals are out and about and therefore at risk.
The two most recent cats reported both needed stitches but thankfully are now back to health.
Also during the Summer months animals kept in greenhouses and glass conservatories are of increased risk due to the rising temperatures. It is extremely important that animals kept in these kinds of environments have adequate air flow, appropriate temperature regulation and of course fresh, clean water as well as their other needs.
There are a number of derelict greenhouses and buildings around Guernsey and it is quite likely that the animals reported injured were from broken glass in these.
Dogs left in cars can easily die when subjected to a sunny day and animals in greenhouses can suffer the same fate.
If it’s very warm outside and you’re going out in the car, think very carefully about what you are going to do with your dog. You should never leave a dog alone in a car.
It can get unbearably hot in a car on a sunny day, even when it’s not that warm. In fact, when it’s 22°C/72°F outside, the temperature inside a car can soar to 47°C/117°F within 60 minutes.
Unlike humans, dogs pant to help keep themselves cool. In a hot stuffy car, dogs can’t cool down – leaving a window open or a sunshield on your windscreen won’t keep your car cool enough and animals in greenhouses can suffer even more so.
Even with current legislation in Guernsey if it can be proven that your dog is suffering or an animal in unsuitable conditions such as an extremely hot greenhouse you can face prosecution. You would also have to live with the fact that your thoughtless action resulted in terrible suffering for your pet.
If you see a dog in a car on a warm day or any animal welfare concerns please call the GSPCA on 01481 257261.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said ‘When we have a call of any animal suffering or injured it is a real concern and we are asking everyone to be mindful of broken glass and other materials that put animals at risk and to please ensure these are disposed of appropriately.’
‘Broken glass can be a real danger to animals and in the worse cases even death.’
‘We also get reports of animals kept in greenhouses and glass conservatories and on a sunny day if the appropriate systems aren’t in place this can harm and even kill.’
‘If anyone would like any further advice, welfare concerns or if you see a dog locked in a car on a sunny day please call us on 257261.’
Heatstroke - early warning signs
Heatstroke can be fatal. Do everything you can to prevent it. Some dogs are more prone to heatstroke. For example, dogs with short snouts, fatter or heavily muscled dogs and long-haired breeds, as well as very old or very young dogs. Dogs with certain diseases are more prone to heatstroke, as are dogs on certain medication.
If dogs are unable to reduce their body temperature, they will develop heatstroke. There are some signs to look for:
heavy panting
profuse salivation
a rapid pulse
very red gums/tongue
lethargy
lack of coordination
reluctance or inability to rise after collapsing
vomiting
diarrhea
loss of consciousness in extreme circumstances.
Heatstroke - first aid
If your dog shows any symptoms of heatstroke, move him/her to a shaded, cool area and ring your vet for advice immediately. Heatstroke can be fatal and should always be treated as an emergency.
Dogs suffering from heatstroke urgently need to have their body temperature gradually lowered:
Immediately douse your dog with cool (not cold) water, to avoid shock – you could put your dog in a shower and run cool water over him/her, or use a spray filled with cool water and place your dog in the breeze of a fan.
Let your dog drink small amounts of cool water.
Continue to douse your dog with cool water until his/her breathing starts to settle – never cool your dog so much that he/she begins to shiver.
Once you have cooled your dog down you should take him/her straight to the veterinary surgery.
Top tips for warm weather
Your dog should always be able to move into a cooler, ventilated environment if he/she is feeling hot.
Never leave your dog alone in a car. If you want to take your dog with you on a car journey, make sure that your destination is dog-friendly – you won’t be able to leave your dog in the car and you don’t want your day out to be ruined!
If you have to leave your dog outside, you must provide a cool shady spot where he/she can escape from the sun at all times of the day. Please remember that shade cover can move during the day.
Make sure your dog always has a good supply of drinking water, in a weighted bowl that can’t be knocked over. Carry water with you on hot days and give your dog frequent small amounts.
Never leave your dog in a glass conservatory or a caravan. Even if it is cloudy when you leave, the sun may come out later in the day and make it unbearably hot.
Groom your dog regularly to get rid of excess hair. Give long-coated breeds a haircut at the start of the summer, and later in the season, if necessary.
Dogs need exercise - even when it is hot. Walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening. Never allow your dog to exercise excessively in hot weather.
Dogs can get sunburned too – particularly those with light-coloured noses or light-coloured fur on their ears. Ask your vet for advice on pet-safe sunscreen.
Please be mindful of the other pets in your care and where you keep them and ensure they don’t get trapped in places such as greenhouses and conservatories.
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To see the story of Jethou Bumblebee the grey seal pup please check out this short video from start to finish on how staff rescued him with a lot of help.
There are many items on the GSPCA's Wish List and you can see many of them by clicking here including a list of Amazon items which would make a difference to animals in Guernsey.
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To download posters to help advertise some of the animals looking for homes please
The following are events planned for 2013
Every Tuesday during term time between 10.30am and 12pm at the GSPCA we have a coffee morning with bric-a-brac and pet supplies on sale (free entry) also guided tours at £5 per person minimum donation available at 11am. Please click here for more details
Friday 12th - Sunday 14th July - A stall at Chaos, Pleinmont Point - volunteers need to help
Sunday 14th July - Labradog Day - a fun day for labrador owners at the Hotel Bon Port -
please click here for details
Wednesday 17th July 6.30pm - Volunteer Induction Evening - to be held at the Shelter, more details to follow
Saturday 20th July a stall at the Guernsey Cheshire Home & the Guernsey MS Society It's A Knockout at Saumarez Park.please click here for details
Sunday 21st July - Family Fun Car Boot Sale at Specsavers - more details to follow very soon
9th - 10th August 2013 South Show GSPCA Stall - volunteers needed to help with the stand
14th - 15th August 2013 West Show GSPCA Stall - volunteers needed to help with the stand
17th August Donkey Derby GSPCA Stall - volunteers needed to help with the stand
21st - 22nd August 2013 North Show GSPCA stall - volunteers needed to help with the stand
GSPCA Flag Day August 24th - we are looking for volunteers to help make this the biggest and best flag day the GSPCA has held
Sunday 25th August - Vale Earth Fair - volunteers needed to help with the stand
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