With the weather becoming warmer and warmer as we head into summer, the BC SPCA is again reminding pet owners to leave their animals at home if they can’t keep them safe.
The animal welfare organization says it has already received several calls about animals being left in hot cars, which can become “death traps” in a matter of minutes.
In just minutes, the temperature in a parked car can climb to well over 38C. Dogs have no sweat glands, so they can only cool themselves by panting and by releasing heat through their paws, which they cannot do in a vehicle that has become an oven.
“People don’t realize just how quickly their cars can become death traps for their pets – it can take as little as 10 minutes for the vehicle to reach temperatures where the animal can suffer irreparable brain damage or death,” says Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations for the BC SPCA.
“We know that if people are taking their pets with them, it’s because they love them and want to spend time with them, but we really do encourage pet guardians to please, leave their pets at home when they’re going out in the car,” Chortyk adds.
But what do you do if you see an animal in distress in a parked vehicle? The SPCA has a number of steps you can follow.
They say to note the license plate and vehicle information and to ask managers of nearby businesses to page the owner to return to their vehicle immediately.
Help pets keep their cool this summer - spread the word about keeping animals out of hot cars. If you see an animal in distress, please call the BC SPCA hotline at 1-855-622-7722, your local animal control agency or police as soon as possible. Learn more: https://t.co/49cZmRUEoC
— BC SPCA / BCSPCA (@BC_SPCA) June 21, 2018
If the animal is in distress, call your local animal control agency, police, or the BC SPCA hotline at 1 (855) 622-7722 as soon as possible.
The BC SPCA says that it is illegal for members of the public to break a window to access the vehicle themselves. Only RCMP and Special Provincial Constables of the BC SPCA can lawfully enter a vehicle.
They only suggest keeping emergency supplies such as bottled water, a small bowl, and a towel that can be soaked in water in your car so that you can help rehydrate an animal if a window has been left open and while you wait for emergency response.
