Warm weather can mean misery for pets

After the hottest day of the year yesterday, many of us are welcoming the arrival of warmer weather. To make sure Britain’s pets enjoy the sunshine as much as their owners The Blue Cross is issuing some essential summer safety advice:

· Help pets find shady spots - indoors and out. Pale coloured animals are prone to skin cancer if they spend too much time in the sun, just like people.

· Never leave pets in a car or enclosed warm spaces. Just a few minutes, even with an open window, can be fatal to animals.

· Always have plenty of clean water available, large dog bowls filled to the brim are best for cats. Don’t forget to take fresh water to the beach for dogs.

· Prepare in advance if taking pets on holiday. Will they need extra medication and is the destination safe for them? If they will be staying in kennels book early as the best ones can get booked up.

· Keep rabbits and smaller animals and their homes clean. Warm weather means more flies and maggots can lead to ‘Flystrike’, a common but fatal condition in small animals.

Caroline Reay, chief veterinary surgeon at The Blue Cross animal hospital in Merton said: "Although we are all pleased that summer has arrived, warm weather can be miserable to pets lacking proper attention. The Blue Cross in Merton sees cases of heatstroke and highly preventable illnesses every year - sometimes fatal for pets and devastating for their owners. Simple measures can be taken to keep animals comfortable and safe so we can all enjoy the sunshine."

Listen to further advice from Blue Cross veterinary surgeons in the charity’s latest ‘petcast’ at www.bluecross.org.uk http://www.bluecross.org.uk or download a free ‘Summer survivial guide’ leaflet from the ‘Information & leaflets’ pages on the website.

Media contact: Louise Lee
Direct line: 0207 932 4063
Mobile: 07880 781637

Notes to editors:

· Interviews with Blue Cross veterinary staff can be arranged. Contact the press office for more information.

· Photographs of safe summer pets are available. Please contact the press office.

· There are four Blue Cross animal hospitals in London and one in Grimsby. The Blue Cross also offer a mobile clinic service in three London areas and many of the charity’s animal adoption centres offer a weekly pet clinic to eligible pet owners.

· The Blue Cross animal hospital in Merton was opened by HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1999. It carries out over 12,000 veterinary consultations every year. The hospital features a "hub" design, which encourages ease of movement of animals between its four consultation rooms, the operating theatre, X-ray, and kennels.

· To contact the hospital please call 020 8254 1400. Opening hours for appointments: Monday to Friday 9.00 - 12.00 midday and 2.00pm - 4.00pm. In case of out of hours emergencies please call 020 7932 2370.

· Can you help The Blue Cross spread the word about pet welfare to younger generations? To find out more about educational volunteering opportunities in your area, contact the education department on 01993 825 596 or email: education@bluecross.org.uk <mailto:education@bluecross.org.uk>

· The Blue Cross is Britain's pet charity, providing practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of animal adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees.