RSPCA warns missing a walk is safer than risking heatstroke

DOG owners are being urged to keep their pets indoors and avoid normal walking routines as extreme heat affects Wales and England.

The RSPCA has called for “lockdown-style caution” for dogs over the next 24 to 48 hours, warning that walks, ball games and energetic exercise could put pets at serious risk.

The charity says owners should change routines immediately, keeping dogs cool, calm and comfortable indoors until temperatures ease.

Lauren Bennett, dog welfare expert at the RSPCA and a former veterinary nurse, said: “During a red weather warning, dog owners should think of it like a temporary lockdown for their pets.

“For the next 24 to 48 hours, routines need to immediately change. This isn’t the time for walks, chasing the ball or playing fetch, or exposing pooches to energetic exercise.

“It’s far better for dogs to miss a few walks completely than to suffer the potentially fatal consequences of overheating, or heatstroke.”

The warning comes as the peak of the current heatwave is forecast for today and tomorrow, with temperatures potentially reaching 39C in some areas.

The RSPCA says dogs should only be taken outside briefly for toilet breaks, ideally to the nearest grassy area, before being brought straight back indoors.

Owners are advised to provide fresh water in several places, close curtains in sunny rooms, use fans safely, and allow dogs to rest on cooler floors, cooling mats or damp towels.

Mental stimulation, such as puzzle feeders, snuffle mats and gentle indoor training games, can be used instead of exercise.

Ms Bennett added: “These temperatures won’t last forever, but the decisions owners make over the next couple of days could have a lasting impact on their pets.

“For now, the message is simple: pause normal routines, prioritise keeping pets cool and comfortable, and wait until temperatures ease before returning to business as usual.”

The charity is also reminding owners to watch for signs of heatstroke, which can include heavy panting, drooling, confusion, weakness, vomiting, collapse or seizures.

The RSPCA said vets dealt with 355 suspected heatstroke cases in 2025, with two thirds recorded during the summer months.

Anyone concerned about a dog showing signs of heatstroke should move the animal to a cool area, offer small amounts of water, begin cooling with cool—not ice-cold—water, and contact a vet immediately.

CONCERNS over the future of skilled industrial jobs in Pembrokeshire have been raised following a meeting between two Senedd Members and Valero.

Claire Archibald MS and Paul Marr MS met with a senior representative from Valero to discuss the future of Pembroke Refinery, apprenticeships, and the pressures facing the UK refining industry.

Pembroke Refinery is one of the most important industrial sites in Wales, supporting hundreds of direct jobs as well as many more through contractors, suppliers and local businesses.

Speaking after the meeting, Claire Archibald MS said the refinery was “hugely important” to Pembrokeshire.

She said: “It supports skilled jobs, apprenticeships, contractors, local businesses, and families across the county. These are exactly the kind of well-paid, long-term jobs we should be protecting in west Wales.

“Valero raised serious concerns about the pressure being placed on UK refining, particularly through carbon costs and the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.

“If we make it too expensive to produce fuel here, we risk pushing jobs, investment, and production overseas. That would be bad for Pembrokeshire, bad for UK fuel security, and would not help the environment if the same fuel is simply imported from elsewhere.”

Ms Archibald said the Welsh Government had a role to play in supporting major industrial employers.

She added: “Ministers cannot just stand back and say this is nothing to do with them. They have responsibilities around economic development, skills, planning, regulation and infrastructure, and they are also part of the UK ETS framework.

“I will be pressing the Welsh Government to engage properly with Valero, listen to the concerns being raised, and treat Pembroke Refinery as the strategically important site it is.

“Pembrokeshire has already lost too much industry over the years. We should be doing everything sensible to protect skilled jobs, support apprenticeships and keep major employers investing here for the long term.”

Paul Marr MS said Pembroke Refinery remained a vital part of the local economy.

He said: “The message from Valero was clear: if we want to keep major industry in Wales, we have to make sure the policy environment allows businesses to invest, compete and plan for the future.

“We cannot afford to take sites like Pembroke Refinery for granted.”

Ms Archibald said she will now raise the concerns with the Welsh Government and ask what action ministers are taking to support Pembroke Refinery, protect skilled jobs and secure future investment in Pembrokeshire.

PAUL DAVIES MS has called on the Welsh Government to set out whether it will consider introducing a national screening programme for prostate cancer in Wales.

Mr Davies said he had requested a formal statement from ministers on prostate cancer services, including whether screening could be introduced to help improve early diagnosis.

He has also asked for an update on whether Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy, known as SABR, will be made available to patients in Wales. The treatment is already available to some patients in England.

Mr Davies said: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Wales, and it is vital that patients have access to the very best treatments to improve outcomes.

“We need to understand whether the Welsh Government will consider a national screening programme, and whether Welsh patients will be given access to treatments that are already available across the border.”

The call comes amid continuing concern about cancer waiting times and access to specialist treatment in Wales.