THE APEX TIMES
Lexington animal control warns pet owners heat stroke can happen within minutes
Officials with Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control urged residents to keep pets hydrated, limit time outside, and never leave animals in parked cars during the current heat wave.
Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control is urging pet owners in Central Kentucky to take extra precautions as temperatures climb, warning that extreme heat can quickly become life-threatening for dogs and other animals. The agency’s guidance focuses on hydration, indoor shelter during peak heat, and immediate veterinary response if an animal shows signs of heat distress.
In remarks shared by LEX 18, cruelty investigator Jai Hamilton said dogs are especially vulnerable to overheating because they do not sweat the way people do. “Dogs can overheat very, very easily. They don't sweat like people,” Hamilton said, adding that heat stroke can develop in minutes. She urged owners to recognize warning signs rather than waiting for symptoms to pass.
Hamilton described the emergency appearance that can accompany heat stroke, saying a dog in distress may show panting while lying on its side, appear non-responsive, and have eyes open but refuse to drink water. She said that situation is a “life threatening emergency” and requires rushing the animal to a veterinarian.
Animal care officials also stressed that leaving pets unattended in parked vehicles is especially dangerous. Hamilton pointed to an incident reported during the current period of extreme heat: “Two days ago we had somebody leave their dog in a car while they were at a doctor's appointment. They were in the doctor's appointments for over an hour,” she said. She added that when the agency was called, the dog was showing significant heat distress and would likely have died without intervention.
Beyond vehicles, Hamilton said the ground temperature itself can injure pets. She referenced a surface temperature reading taken during the heat wave showing pavement reaching 132 degrees, which she said is hot enough to burn paw pads. Her guidance to residents was direct: “If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your pet, and it's time to bring him in.”
Along with those warnings, the agency recommended limiting time outdoors, ensuring pets always have access to water and shade, and seeking veterinary attention immediately when an animal seems off. Officials emphasized that routine outdoor activity should be adjusted during periods of high temperatures, particularly for dogs that rely on walks and outdoor exercise to stay comfortable.
The agency said it is also operating within a broader local framework for animal care. Hamilton referenced changes connected to a Lexington Animal Care Ordinance, though the reported details in the LEX 18 segment were not fully specified in the available excerpt. Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control said residents should follow current heat-safety practices regardless of an animal’s age or apparent fitness, because heat risk can escalate rapidly during hot stretches.
Why It Matters
- Heat safety guidance can determine whether pets survive exposure during extreme temperatures, since officials said heat stroke can occur within minutes.
- Local public safety messaging addresses common household risks, including leaving pets in parked cars and walking on overheated pavement.
- The guidance affects everyday routines for families with dogs, including when to exercise outdoors and how to plan for shade and hydration.
- Rapid emergency recognition and immediate veterinary action can reduce outcomes that lead to animal suffering and costly rescue responses.
Key Facts
- Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control is urging pet owners to take extra precautions during the current Central Kentucky heat wave.
- Cruelty investigator Jai Hamilton said dogs can overheat very easily and that heat stroke can happen in minutes.
- Hamilton said heat stroke signs can include panting on its side, non-responsiveness, open eyes but refusal to drink, and that it is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate veterinary care.
- Hamilton said an incident two days earlier involved a dog left in a parked car while owners were at a doctor’s appointment for over an hour, and the dog was showing heavy heat distress when animal control arrived.
- Officials cited a pavement surface temperature reading of 132 degrees, warning that such heat can burn paw pads.
- The agency advised limiting time outdoors and ensuring pets have access to water and shade, with prompt veterinary attention if animals appear unwell.