News & Press Releases
Emergency Alert (6-8-08): Hot Dog Line Re-activated!
The unseasonably early heat wave impacting our region has caused the Humane Society of Berks County to re-activate its Hot Dog Line. This supplement to its normal 24 hour a day cruelty hotline is put into effect during extended hot weather and puts additional resources in place to allow our Humane Society Police Officers and staff veterinarians to respond swiftly and effectively to calls about animals in heat distress.
Anyone seeing animals in heat distress should call the Humane Society of Berks County at 610-921-2348, 24 hours a day. Humane Society Officers and Veterinarians are ready to respond to all calls in Berks County. Officers will help callers get directly in contact with agencies empowered to respond in other counties.
It is the responsibility of dog owners to ensure the safety of their pets during this heat wave. The Humane Society wants to help pet owners and to make sure people know where to turn if they see a dog in distress. A rapid response can be a matter of life and death. "Dogs cannot thermo-regulate as well as humans," said Dr. Lee Pickett, HSBC veterinarian and writer of the syndicated column, Ask The Vet's Pets. "This can result in a body temperature increase that may lead to death. Even if their body temperature does not rise to fatal levels, serious complications such as organ failure can occur." Dr. Pickett says that some dogs are at particular risk in the heat. "Owners of young and old dogs, flat faced and arctic breeds, and dogs with underlying medical conditions, particularly heart conditions, should be especially careful and conscious of the danger," Dr. Pickett also reminds pet owners that all pets, including cats, pet birds, rabbits, and other small animals are at risk for heat related illness or injury.
Prevention is the best and easiest way to avoid health problems. If possible, bring all pets inside during hot weather. All pets should have access to clean, cool water at all times. Pets that must remain outside should have shaded shelter and be checked on regularly. Heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue can be signs of heat stress. Any pet owner whose pet is displaying these symptoms should be take the animal to a veterinarian immediately- it could save the pet's life. Anyone who sees these symptoms in neighbor's pet should immediately notify both the pet owner and the Humane Society of Berks County by calling the "Hot Dog Line". Owners who refuse or neglect to provide proper hot weather relief could be subject to prosecution for animal cruelty.
Please share this information. Local police will generally not respond to animal cruelty calls and that the State of Pennsylvania relies on unfunded Humane Society Police Officers to enforce State Cruelty Law.
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Press Releases (click on date to read):
- 03-24-08 Animal Control Press Release
- 03-07-08 Pet Loss & Bereavement Expansion Press Release
- 12-21-07 Service and Veterinary Expansion Press Release
- 12-16-07 Berks CART Activation Press Release
- 07-31-07 "Hot Dog Line Alert" Press Release
- 07-31-07 Free To A Great Home Program Press Release
- 06-18-07 Pet Loss and Bereavement Press Release
- 05-25-07 Reading Dog Attack Press Release
- 05-16-07 NJ Wildfire/Disaster Preparedness Press Release
- 05-01-07 Ani-Meals On Wheels Partnership Press Release
- 03-07-07 Joint Statement Endorsing HB 73
- 02-07-07 Pints for Pups Press Release
- 01-26-07 Emergency "Cold-Line" Press Release
- 12-11-06 HSBC and HLLC Partner In Licensing Initiative
- 11-03-06 Pet Owners Pay or Work Program Press Release
- 10-25-06 Proper Identification Press Release
- 09-20-06 Ritual Animal Killing Press Release
- 09-17-06 Cruelty Services Press Release
- 08-16-06 "Free to a Great Home" Press Release
- 07-30-06 "Hot Dog Line" Press Release
- 06-01-06 Rabies Cat Press Release
- 05-25-06 Foot-Trap Cat Press Release
- 04-05-06 Senior Adoption Press Release
- 02-17-06 Stetler Press Release
- 02-11-06 Berks CART Activation Press Release
- 01-31-06 Cordero-Fermin Press Release
- 12-14-05 Cold Weather Press Release
- 12-12-05 Pepper Press Release
- 09-07-05 Katrina Press Release
- 04-14-05 Kitten Press Release
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