Hyderabad: Humane World for Animals India urges people to protect animals from heat

The members of HWAI in a statement said that heat waves endanger animals of all kinds. They face risks like heatstroke, burns from hot surfaces.

Hyderabad: With intense hot weather conditions becoming common during summer season, Humane World for Animals India (formerly Human Society International/ India) urged people to prioritize the well-being of animals and birds. To ensure animals and birds are properly cared, HWAI called for necessary actions to protect animals and birds during these extreme conditions.

The members of HWAI on Tuesday in a statement said that heat waves endanger animals of all kinds. They face risks like heatstroke, burns from hot surfaces.

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Dalia Jacob, senior manager (community engagement), HWAI says “We’re collaborating with community members and volunteers to ensure that street dogs have access to clean drinking water. We have also set up water tubs in certain housing societies to help maintain animal’s body temperature”.

Praveen Suresh, manager (disaster preparedness and relief), HWAI, “In an agrarian country like India, where the majority of the rural population relies on both agriculture and livestock for their livelihood, the loss of animals due to heat stress poses a severe challenge.”

Important measures:

• Provide access to shade/makeshift shelter to help animals stay cool in hot weather.

• Check under your car before driving, many animals use them to find shade on hot days.

• Place water bowls in multiple areas and ensure a constant supply of fresh water.

• Adjust feeding times to early morning/ late evening when it’s cooler.

• Watch for heat exhaustion signs like panting, drooling or lethargy.

• Move animals to a cooler place/ offer water/douse them in cool (not cold) water