The DogCast Radio blog

RSPCA experiment shows just how deadly hot cars can be - in just 10 minutes

Tuesday (19 July) was the hottest day of the year so far.

As the RSPCA ramped up its Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign, Essex inspector Marie Hammerton decided to run a little experiment in her van.

“I sat in my van with all the windows open, parked in the shade,” she said. “After 10 minutes, this is the temperature - 38.5C (pictured left).

“I was literally dripping in sweat.

With temperatures soaring this week the RSPCA issues advice to keep all pets comfortable in the heat

On the hottest day of the year so far here are ten tips to help make the heatwave more bearable for your furry friends.

RSPCA’s top tips:
• If your pet has white fur make sure to use pet safe sun-cream particularly on the tips of ears which can get sunburnt exactly the same as humans do. This is also true of horses and particularly their sensitive noses.

• Fish can get too hot too! Tanks should be kept out of direct sunlight to protect your fish.

Come rain or shine, there’s only one place to be on Sunday 4 September: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s Annual Reunion and Fun Day.

This free event in beautiful Battersea Park promises delicious food, stalls to peruse and a host of activities for dogs and people of all ages. There will be a range of dog classes, playgrounds and pooch paddling pools, games and activities for the people, and the chance to meet some of the charity’s homeless hounds that are looking for loving new owners.

Event: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s Annual Reunion
Admission: Free!

RSPCA inspectors have urged owners not to leave their pets in hot cars and share harrowing stories of dogs dying.

The RSPCA is issuing a fresh appeal to pet owners not to leave their dogs in cars or caravans as temperatures are set to soar to 31C this week.

The animal welfare charity had more than 100 calls over the weekend from members of the public concerned about dogs in hot environments - including cars, caravans, conservatories and sheds - as temperatures climbed.

New animated film raises important questions about what our pets do when we’re out of the house.

What do our pets get up to when we go out to work each day? A new animated film is looking at that very issue.

The Secret Life of Pets hit UK cinemas on Friday (8 July) and tells the tail of Max and his animal friends when their owners aren’t about.

Animal charity reveals the real ‘top dog’ in Westminster.

On the day a new Prime Minister took up her post, the real ‘top dog’ in Westminster was revealed by the RSPCA as part of the second annual Parliamentary Pet of the Year.

On Wednesday (July 13), the RSPCA teamed up with MP Sir David Amess for what was arguably the most hotly contended political competition of the day, as five pets waited tentatively at Victoria Tower Gardens - with more waiting at home - to learn the outcome.

It was an emotional reunion at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home as the clouds cleared from Glastonbury and a microchip proved to be the ray of hope one Staffie owner needed after her dog went missing whilst she was working at the famous festival.

The Mayhew Animal Home is holding their annual family and dog summer event, Hounds on the Heath, taking place on Sunday July 10th 2016 between 11am and 4pm at Hampstead Heath – and it is sure to be a dogtastic day out!

Previously known as Hyde Bark, The Mayhew’s summer event, now its fifth year, may have a new home and name but not much else has changed – just that it is bigger and better than ever before.

And not one of them is death, because dogs have far more to teach us about living than they do about dying. As adults we can learn a lot from our dogs, but for our children, they have invaluable lessons.

1. Consideration and empathy

You know all those videos on the Internet, where babies and young children lie all over a dog? The ones where the child is chuckling, the adults are laughing, and the dog gazes dolefully at the camera. Cute aren’t they?

No.

From downward-facing cats to strays who stretch, the residents of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s cattery are feline flexible and showing off their moggie moves today to mark International Yoga Day.

The world renowned charity have an average of 220 cats across their three centres at any one time who are all practising their best balanced yoga moves in the hope of attracting a new home fur life.