Five reasons why taking your dog on a shopping trip may be dangerous
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SACRAMENTO, CA (November 23, 2011) – RedRover, a national nonprofit animal protection organization, is imploring pet owners to leave their dogs at home on Black Friday.
“Black Friday crowds and conditions are no place for dogs,” said RedRover President and CEO Nicole Forsyth. “For the safety of beloved pets and in consideration of other shoppers, the smart choice is to leave a dog at home on Black Friday.”
Forsyth offered four reasons to leave your dog at home on Black Friday:
- Black Friday is notorious for bringing out the Grinches. People have been injured and killed by crowds jostling for deals. While some stores may allow small dogs held in arms, in shopping carts or on leashes on normal shopping days, the noisy crowds, competition and high stress common among Black Friday shopping is not an appropriate environment for your pet. Stress can cause your pet to become fearful, incontinent, or even aggressive.
- Leaving your dog to wait for you in a car is not a safe option. On Black Friday, there’s no such thing as running into a store for “just a minute.” Even in mildly warm weather, enclosed cars can heat up quickly. In a Stanford University study, when it was 72 degrees outside, a car’s internal temperature climbed to 116 degrees within one hour. When they are exposed to heat, dogs can suffer illness and death. To learn more about the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars, visit www.MyDogIsCool.com.
- Dogs left in cars in sub-zero temperatures – even briefly – may suffer and result in result in frostbite of the feet, nose or ears, or worse. Short-haired, small, young and elderly dogs are particularly susceptible to cold weather. Pets who walk on salted roads and sidewalks are at risk for irritation of their feet and ingestion of chemicals.
- Dogs left in cars also risk being harassed or stolen.
For more pet safety tips during the holiday season including a downloadable and printable flier, visit www.redrover.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Leili Khalessi, 916.429.2457 or lkhalessi@redrover.org
Founded in 1987, RedRover, formerly known as United Animal Nations, focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and into care through a variety of programs, including emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services, financial assistance for urgent veterinary care and humane education.
###
