GSPCA Urges Pet Owners to Take Care as Temperatures Rise
With temperatures set to rise over the coming days, the GSPCA is urging all pet owners and animal lovers to take extra precautions to keep animals safe, cool, and comfortable during the warmer weather.
Hot weather can pose serious risks to pets and wildlife alike, and simple steps can make a life-saving difference.
Protecting Dogs and Other Pets
Dog owners are strongly advised to avoid walking dogs during the hottest parts of the day, particularly on pavements and roads. Tarmac can become dangerously hot and may burn a dog’s paws. The safest times for walks are early morning (dawn) or later in the evening when temperatures have dropped.
Even on a mild day, temperatures inside a parked car can rise rapidly:
- At just 20°C outside, a car can reach over 40°C within minutes
- Dogs left inside can suffer heatstroke or death very quickly
If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, please contact the GSPCA immediately on 01481 257261.
Pet owners should also ensure:
- Constant access to fresh, clean drinking water
- Plenty of shade and cool resting areas
- Extra care for small animals such as rabbits, especially those in direct sunlight, ensuring hutches are shaded and well-ventilated
Hidden Dangers: Sheds and Greenhouses
The GSPCA is also highlighting the risks of animals kept in sheds, outbuildings, or greenhouses, which can heat up extremely quickly and reach dangerous temperatures. Any animals housed in these areas must be carefully monitored, with ventilation and cooling measures in place.
Helping Wildlife
Hot, dry conditions can also impact wildlife. The GSPCA encourages islanders to:
- Leave out shallow dishes of water for wildlife
- Provide wet food for hedgehogs, which helps with hydration as well as nutrition
- Ensure water dishes are safe and accessible, with a way for animals to climb out if needed
Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager, said:
“As the temperatures rise, we want to remind everyone how quickly animals can suffer in hot weather. Simple actions like avoiding walking dogs on hot tarmac, ensuring constant access to water, and never leaving animals in cars can save lives.
We are always here to help and advise, and we urge anyone who sees an animal in distress, especially in a hot car, to contact us immediately on 257261.”
Seb Goman, GSPCA Welfare Officer and Senior Animal Care Assistant, added:
“During warm weather, we often see cases of animals struggling with the heat, particularly dogs, rabbits, and small animals kept outdoors or in enclosed spaces. Hutches, sheds, and greenhouses can heat up very quickly, so it’s vital owners check regularly and ensure their pets have shade and ventilation.
We also ask everyone to think about local wildlife—putting out water and providing hedgehogs with wet food can make a huge difference during dry spells.”
The GSPCA thanks the community for helping to keep animals safe and encourages everyone to stay vigilant during the warmer weather.
Steve continued “To help pet owners we do run Pet First Aid Courses for dog and cat owners which next take place later this year and you can book through our training page on our website.”
“We hope this advice will prevent the calls we see each year from concerned members of public who discover dogs left in hot cars and other animals at risk.”
“As well as promoting good advice for pet owners we have the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal as it continues to help support this much needed build and to find out more please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspcabiggestbuildappeal .”
“Also don’t forget it is GSPCA Cupcake Week another way to support our work by making, baking and selling cake to raise funds for animals in Guernsey and to find out more please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-cupcake-week .”
Check out more on the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal – https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspcabiggestbuildappeal
To donate to our work and the other animals in our care https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
To see animals looking for new homes
https://www.gspca.org.gg/animals
To see our youtube channel and lots of videos please visit https://www.youtube.com/@TheGuernseySPCA
To see events, ways to support and animals in need please see our latest blog https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog
Upcoming events
- GSPCA Cupcake Week 15th to 22nd May 2026
- Half Term Tours May 2026 May 2026 To be confirmed
- Microchip Month June 2026
- Volunteers Week 1st – 7th June 2026
- Guernsey Together Saturday 13th June 2026
- Classic Vehicle Show Sunday 21st June 2026
- Take Your Dog to Work Day Friday 26th June 2026
- Viaer Marchi Monday 6th July 2026
- Kitten Day 10th July 2026
- World Snake Day 16th July 2026
- Guinea Pig Appreciation Day 16th July 2026
- Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) 23rd – 27th July 2026
- Summer Guided Tours July/August 2026 to be confirmed
- South Show GSPCA Dog Show Saturday 8th August 2026
- West Show 12th-13th August 2026
- World Lizard Day 14th August 2026
- North Show 19th-20th August 2026
- International Dog Day 26th August 2026
- World Animal Month October 2026
- World Animal Day 4th October 2026
- Feral Cat Day 16th October 2026
- National cat Day 29th October 2026
- Halt Term Spooky Tours October 2026 to be confirmed
- Dog First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 12th November 2026 Ref – Dog12/11
- Cat First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 26th November 2026 Ref – Cat26/11
- Possible Christmas Themed Animal Discovery Trail November/December 2026 to be confirmed with possible Ball
- World Wildlife Conservation Day 4th December 2026
- Festive Tours December/January 2026/7 to be confirmed
Steve continued “There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA.”
“Our BIGGEST BUILD is now underway and we are desperately looking for support and to help in anyway please do get in touch and check out this link https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggestbuild-begins-demolition-underway-%E2%80%93-buying-brick-sponsorship-can-you-help .”
“To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor donating each month to help the hundreds of animals in our care which you can do by downloading this form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf or to become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf .”
“To think of helping animals and our work in your legacy or will please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding .”
“For those from those want to give CSR time and skills to those wanting to help sponsor or support something from our Wish List at the GSPCA http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”
“If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days “
“For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship “
“If you would like to volunteer then to find out more details here -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or to complete the volunteer application form please check out https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=14 .”
"We also have vacancies at the GSPCA and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/vacancies ."
"For lots of ways to support our work please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years ."
“To visit our facebook page check out this link please click here .”
“To visit our x page please click here .”
“Thank you for your support.”
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