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It is Summertime please ensure your pets stay cool during the hot weather- NEVER LEAVE DOGS IN CARS

Below are some useful tips to help stay cool and what to do if you suspect your dog has heat stroke and how to avoid it.

How to prevent heat stroke in dogs

With preparation and by knowing how to keep your dog cool, you can drastically reduce the chance of your dog getting heat stroke:

• Ensure your dog has access to shade at all times

• Bring water out on walks, for your dog as well as for you

• Avoid walking your dog at hotter parts of the day

• When out walking your dog, take regular stops in shaded areas

• Use sun cream on dogs with pale or thin fur

• Don’t walk your dog on a pavement that’s too hot

• NEVER leave your dog alone in the car

Heat stroke in dogs is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. It happens when a dog gets too hot and can't cool down. Unlike humans, who can sweat freely all over their bodies, dogs can only sweat through their noses and the bottoms of their paws. They mainly cool down by panting, breathing out warm air and drawing in cooler air through their mouths and tongues. If this system is overwhelmed, their body temperature can rise dangerously fast.

As temperatures rise, it’s important to know how to spot the signs of heat stroke early and act quickly. Some dogs are more at risk than others, but any dog can overheat, even on a mild day. There are ways to keep a dog cool, but as a dog's body temperature continues to rise, their organs begin to shut down. Severe heat stroke can be fatal for dogs.

What causes heat stroke in dogs?

The most common triggers of heat stroke in dogs include:

• Exercising in warm weather

• Being stuck in a hot car

• Getting trapped in a greenhouse, conservatory or outbuilding

• Poorly ventilated or shaded areas

Some dogs are more at risk, including flat-faced breeds like Pugs or Bulldogs, puppies and older dogs, overweight dogs, dogs with thick coats, and dogs with heart or breathing problems. Even a short walk on a hot or humid day can cause your dog to overheat, especially if they're in these high-risk categories.

Signs of heat stroke in dogs

Your dog may be suffering from heat stroke if they display any of these signs:

• Fast, heavy breathing or panting

• A bright red tongue

• Sticky gums

• Excessive drooling

• Vomiting

• Pressing their head to the wall

• Circling

• General restlessness

• Dizziness – your dog may appear lethargic, drowsy or slow

These heat stroke symptoms can also indicate other conditions, but during warm weather, heat stroke is a strong possibility.

How to treat heat stroke in dogs

Firstly, don’t panic. Act quickly but stay calm. Visibly worried behaviour will affect your dog and cause their body temperature to rise further.

• Seek shade – Your first action should be to remove your dog from any direct sunlight.

• Cool first, transport second - Studies show the most effective way to treat heat stroke is rapid cooling. Cold water immersion is most effective for healthy dogs. For older dogs with health conditions, or those who may struggle with immersion, pour cool water over their body and combine it with airflow from a fan, breeze, or air conditioning (known as evaporative cooling).

• Focus on the belly, armpits, and paws – If full immersion isn't an option, cooling these areas first can help lower their core temperature more quickly.

• Offer small amounts of drinking water – Gradually let your dog drink cool water in small amounts.

Can you treat heat stroke at home?

You can start first aid by acting quickly and following the instructions above, but your dog will still need professional care. Even if your dog seems to improve, contact your vet and bring them in for a check. Some symptoms and complications can appear later. Rapid cooling and veterinary care give your dog the best chance of recovery.

What not to do if your dog has heat stroke

When you're trying to help your dog, steer clear of these common mistakes:

• Don’t cover your dog with wet towels because this can trap heat and block evaporation. If using a towel, place it underneath them, not over their body.

• Don’t delay veterinary care even if your dog seems better, as internal complications can still develop.

• Don’t force them to drink. Encourage small sips, but forcing water may cause choking or inhalation.

• Don’t assume mild weather is risk-free. Heat stroke can happen on overcast days or in high humidity, especially with poor airflow.

Enjoy the Summer and stay safe.

We are changing our opening times for our charity shop & Tearooms at our New Romney Centre.

We're open Sunday 8th June 9am-1pm then will be closed alternative weekends to end of September.

We will be open every Sunday 9am-1pm from October to May.

Donations for the shop will be gratefully received at the centre Wed-Sun 11am-3pm.

Lots of great bargains at the shop and delicious homemade cake awaits in our tearoom- see you all soon.

Last Chance needs your vote to help us win £1,000! It only takes 1 minute of your time please click here 

A great day out for all the family this weekend at Hop Up who are supporting Last Chance and our good works.

Dear Supporters

We would really appreciate any of the items that we have listed on our Amazon Wish List, especially Dog and Cat food and cat litter.

It is really easy to do- just click here to view our Amazon wish list, you will automatically be transferred to Amazon website enabaling you to choose any of the items you would like to donate. 

Thank you for your kind support x

We welcome volunteers at both centres who can help walk dogs and care for cats etc. If you can spare some time from 8am-3pm anyday of the week please contact us or visit the centres to meet the staff. We would love to hear from you and our dogs and cats will be especially pleased.

Everyone loves flowers! We are hoping to have a plant stall at our New Romney charity shop this year and would love any donations of plants. If you are growing from seed please plant a few extra for us, or if you are thining your garden please pot it up and bring it along. Everything helps us continue our life saving work.

Thanks so much.

Just to let everyone know our Charity Shop & Tearoom at New Romney will be closed Easter Sunday. We will be open again as usual the following Sunday.

Happy Easter everyone!

Please support Brad Carter, an animal lover from Gillingham who is competing in the Ultra MMA on 13th April 2025.

Please click on this link to go to the justgiving page.

Thanks Brad, and good luck

Update from Brad

Event 1 12pm-4pm

Event 2   6pm-11pm

I won’t know what one I’ll be fighting on but they’ll both be held on the 13th of April, a ticket will get you into either event, once I know what time I’m fighting under I’ll let you know. 

Ticket price is £25-£35

We are delighted to let everyone know our New Romney Charity Shop & Tearooms re-opens this Sunday 2nd February 9am-1pm. We have lots of new and interesting items for sale, plus our delicious homemade cakes. 

Hope to see you Sunday.

We are delighted to annouce the opening of our 2nd ebay shop. Our Bromley Shop team have listed items for sale on ebay please click here to view the items currently available. Happy bidding.

Bromley Shop team x

Happy, Healthy, Peaceful New Year to you all.

The Charity Shop and tearoom at our New Romney centre reopens Sunday 2nd February 9am-1pm, with lots of new items! 

Hope to see all our great supporters, old and new.

Dear supporters

We wanted to let you all know Jenny our manager and Rebecca our Ass. Manager will be appearing on GB news with three of lovely dogs Daisy, Ruby & Sandie on Thurs. evening around 7.20pm. Please tune in, you or someone you know may be thinking of opening your heart and your home to a rescue dog, please help get an oldie or any homeless dog home in time for Christmas.

Maybe, you are unable to offer a home right now, but would still like help. To support our life saving work at Last Chance, just visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/daisyrubysandie

Thank you and happy Christmas x

Kat who volunteered at our Edenbridge centre is a big fan of Last Chance and the work we do to help abandoned, abused and unwanted dogs and cats is taking part in the Brighton Marathon April 2025 hoping to raise lots of money for us. Pictured is Olive, a gorgeous Greyhound adopted by her Brother & his partner. 

Please could give Kat lots of encouragement and use this link to donate.

Thanks to everyone who attended our Christmas Fair at the New Romney Centre- we raised a massive £2,800 !!

We have Santa Paws back this Sunday 9am-1pm if you missed him last week. Great photo opportunity for your dog. We still have lots of Christmas Decorations available and a chance for you to buy a ticket for our Barrow of Booze- a must for the festive season.

Charity Shop and Tearoom open as usual, Hope to see you.