Charity barbecue at Harriston business raises funds to fight animal cruelty

by Patrick Raftis

HARRISTON

A fun summer event to raise funds, and awareness about animal care issues, was held at Harriston Motors, Aug. 3.

Free hot dogs, donated by the dealership, were on the grill and Jennifer Bluhm, an inspector with the Bruce-Grey Branch of the Ontario Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) was on hand to answer questions and provide information to those in attendance. OSPCA merchandise was also available for sale during the event.

Pets left in hot cars are a major issue the society deals with at this time of the year, said Bluhm.

“Unfortunately, a lot of people think, ‘Oh, I’m only going to be half an hour,” so it will be alright to leave an animal in a vehicle, said Bluhm. Few, she notes, are aware “the most dangerous temperature spike is often in the first few minutes.”

Information provided by the OSPCA shows why many pets die each year as a result of being left in vehicles during warm weather:

- temperatures inside a parked vehicle, even with the windows open and in the shade, can rapidly reach very dangerous levels, even on a relatively mild summer day;

-   a dog’s normal body temperature is about 39 degrees C. Because of a limited ability to sweat, even a short time in a hot environment can be life-threatening.

-    a dog can withstand a body temperature of 41 degrees C for only a short time before suffering irreparable brain damage or even death.

  Bluhm said the scale of animal neglect is surprising to many. The Bruce-Grey branch, which also covers Minto, responds to approximately 400 complaints and rescues between 200 and 300 animals each year.

Anyone finding a pet that may be suffering from heat exhaustion is urged to call their local OSPCA branch, Humane Society or the police, if the owner cannot be quickly located.

Shelley Fisk, a Harriston Motors employee who volunteers with the OSPCA and often finds herself taking in stray pets, or animals in need, organized the fundraiser.

“It’s a good cause,” said Fisk, who is also an esthetician. She offered nail polishings at the Aug. 3 event, with a minimum $5 donation to the OSPCA.

August 10, 2012