What the BC SPCA advises to do if you see a pet stuck in a hot car
As a heat wave blankets Metro Vancouver and much of B.C., it’s important to remember that the extreme heat not only compromises the health and safety of humans, but also of pets.
In June, the BC SPCA published a news release as a reminder that even a few minutes in hot weather can lead to life-threatening consequences for animals.
“People underestimate how rapidly a vehicle can heat up to dangerous levels, putting animals at risk of fatal consequences,” stated Eileen Drever, senior officer of protection and stakeholder relations for the BC SPCA.
Drever added that one of the most dangerous places to leave a pet during spells of warm weather is inside vehicles.
“We also tend to miscalculate how long we’ll be away from our cars. We think we’re just running into the store for one item, but the line-ups are long, we stop to chat with an acquaintance, and five minutes turns into half an hour or more while your pet suffers in the heat.”
She noted that while leaving windows down and the air conditioning on may seem like a safe option, it is not.
“If the air conditioning fails, your pet could still be in danger. At the end of the day, it’s best to simply leave your dog at home where there’s more space, water and shade,” she said.
Last year, the BC SPCA said its helpline received 841 calls about animals in hot cars.
The organization has provided the following guidance about what to do if you see a pet left in a potentially hot vehicle:
- Take note of the licence plate, vehicle colour, make, and model, and connect with nearby businesses to have the animal owner paged to return to their vehicle immediately.
- If the animal is showing signs of distress (exaggerated panting or no panting at all, salivating, an anxious or staring expression, muscle tremors or lack of coordination, convulsions, vomiting, collapse), call your local animal control agency, police department or RCMP, or the BC SPCA Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722 ASAP
- Remember to relay location information of the car, including city, address, and landmarks, especially if the vehicle is in a busy parking lot.
The BC SPCA adds that you shouldn’t ignore an animal in distress, and if you can’t stick around to make sure help arrives, alert a nearby business or authority.
You also shouldn’t take it upon yourself to break a vehicle’s window, and do not confront the owner of the animal.
“Only RCMP, local police, and BC SPCA Special Provincial Constables have the authority to enter a vehicle lawfully to help a pet in distress,” states the BC SPCA.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s latest Metro Vancouver forecast, temperatures with the humidex on Monday could feel like 37°C, with a UV index of 8 or very high.
With files from Daniel Chai
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