Heat advice for dog owners as charity cancels show

Immingham Dogs Home has cancelled its summer dog show

A charity dog show has been cancelled due to safety concerns amid rising temperatures.

A heatwave is likely to be declared by the weekend as temperatures are set to reach 30C (86F) across parts of the UK.

Immingham Dogs Home, in North East Lincolnshire, has called off Sunday's show due to the heat but will run a virtual competition and a raffle to raise funds instead.

Shakira Magee, marketing and events manager at the charity, said: "It's just too hot for the dogs and it's not fair on them. We would rather not risk their safety."

Immingham Dogs Home usually hosts annual events, each featuring around 20 stalls and a dog show with 10 to 12 categories.

The charity will be hosting a virtual competition to replace the in-person show

Ms Magee said: "It is just too hot for the dogs – and people – it's too hot for both. People wouldn't enjoy it. We don't want the dogs to get heatstroke.

"Dogs aren't used to this heat. They can get heatstroke easily and it's not obvious to know in a dog until it's too late."

Instead, the charity is holding its first virtual show, inviting people to send photo entries for categories like Best Rescue, Playful Puppy and Longest Tongue.

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Entries are open for two weeks and it costs £1 per entry.

"It's obviously not the same as on the day but it means people can still have the fun and enter their dogs," Ms Magee said.

"It hopefully means that more people will be able to reach out and do it."

Advice for dog owners in hot weather

Immingham Dogs Home has shared hot weather tips for dog owners:

• Only walk dogs during the early hours or late at night when temperatures have cooled down

• Make sure dogs are hydrated and have plenty of water

• Make sure they are eating properly

• Keep dogs indoors and out of the sun as much as possible

• Don't give them too many blankets.

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