Welfare experts from the RSPCA provided essential hot weather advice for pet owners during a special sand art event on Scarborough beach this week.
An art installation was created on Wednesday, August 21 on the south bay, featuring a giant image of a dog in the sand and the message #DogsDieOnHotWalks - one of the RSPCA's primary summer campaign messages.
The sand art served to remind pet owners that exercising pets during periods of heat can be detrimental and potentially fatal for our furry friends.
Dog owners and animal lovers alike were drawn to the spectacle, where staff and volunteers of the RSPCA's Scarborough and District Branch, plus RSPCA welfare experts, shared hot weather advice for pets.
More than 300 pet owners in the town were spoken to by the team.
The sand artwork was created by Sand In Your Eye, an artist collective based in West Yorkshire.
Sand In Your Eye director Claire Jamieson and artist Amy Emms said: "We made a huge sand drawing on the beach in Scarborough, to share a message that can help us all protect our canine family members throughout the hot summer months.
"We love dogs, from our own families and neighbours to pretty much any others we encounter on walks or in cafes!
"I hope this message from the RSPCA helps keep them safe."
Carrie Stones, campaign manager at the RSPCA, said: "We had a fantastic day in Scarborough, and were thrilled that so many local pet owners came out to see the artwork being created, and chat to us about their pets.
"I’d like to say a particular thank you to all the people who chatted to us and introduced us to their lovely dogs, as well as Sand In Your Eye for creating such an amazing piece of art.
"We were also delighted to welcome North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for corporate services, Cllr Heather Phillips, who met with us to learn about our welfare work and support our campaign to keep local dogs happy and healthy."
In addition to the beach event, the RSPCA's welfare team hosted a free Cool Dog Summer workshop at Beeforths Hive in Italian Gardens, where pet owners were taught tips and tricks and learned the vital signs of heatstroke in pets.
The RSPCA has invited those who missed the physical Cool Dog Summer workshop to join the virtual online workshop on Thursday, August 29, at 6.30pm.
Registration is via the RSPCA's website at https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/health/hotwalks.
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