Charleston Currents – Joe Elmore

FOCUS: The dilemma over carriage horses and the need for reform

By Joe Elmore, Charleston Animal Society | For over 142 years, Charleston Animal Society’s mission of preventing cruelty to animals has not changed. The organization was established by leading Charlestonians to be the protective voice for equines and other animals.

Today in downtown Charleston where the Animal Society was established as the first animal organization in South Carolina and one of the oldest in the nation, equines do not fare better due to an outdated and ineffective system of regulations governing what is commonly known as the carriage horse industry.

FOCUS: Heat is summer’s number one danger for pets

By Dan Krosse, guest contributor | As the temperatures heat up, so do the risks of injuries for your pets. Dr. Lucy Fuller, DVM, of Charleston Animal Society says that the risk of heat stroke is the number one issue that pet owners need to be aware of.

“It takes less than five minutes for a car to get well over 100 degrees,” she warns. “There is no safe amount of time for a pet to be left in the car.”

Remember that dogs can’t sweat and the only way they can release heat is by panting. Health experts warn that just being outside can cause danger in the summer months.