Don't Leave Pets in Hot Vehicles

Thursday, 6 June 2024 11:22

You should never leave your pet alone in a vehicle, especially on a day like today.

OXFORD COUNTY - It's that time of the year again.

Now that it's June and we're starting to experience those hot and humid temperatures, the Oxford County Animal Rescue is reminding everyone to leave their pets at home, not in the car.

Director Anna Holmes says we all know the inside of a vehicle can feel like a furnace on a day like today.

"Imagine your furry friend who has an extra coat on is sitting inside of that furnace and has no way to cool down. The air is hot and he's panting, but he can't get cool from panting because the air is hot and he can get no relief."

Holmes says a pet can only have an internal temperature of 40 degrees (Celsius) for a few minutes before it starts to experience brain damage and pass away.

If you come across a pet locked inside a hot vehicle, Holmes says these are the signs of an animal in distress.

"Initially they are going to pant. Their tongue and gums are going to be bright red because they're trying so hard to cool down. Then they're just going to get lethargic and they're just going to lay there because they are seeing the light and heading for that bridge."

She adds a dog won't be able to bark because they won't have the energy to.

If you find an animal in distress in a hot vehicle, Holmes says you should try and track down the owner and call 911. It's illegal to leave an animal unattended in a vehicle if it endangers their health and safety, and first responders can break into the vehicle to save the pet. You should not try to break into the vehicle yourself.

With some of the newer vehicles out there, some people will leave their pets inside the vehicle while it's running with the air conditioning on. Holmes does not recommend doing this either.

Another thing to keep in mind around this time of the year is that sidewalks and pavement could easily burn the bottom of your dog's feet on a hot day. If you put your barefoot on the pavement and find it uncomfortable, Holmes says your dog would too.