With warmer weather returning, so is one of the most dangerous environments for a pet to be in. In a reminder issued on Wednesday, Lincoln County Humane Society said that there is never any excuse to leave a pet in a hot car.
“We can’t stress enough to simply leave your dog at home, rather than leaving it in a hot car” said Kevin Strooband, Executive Director, Lincoln County Humane Society.
“Unfortunately, we still receive reports of dogs in hot cars.”
In 2017, a video of a LCHS animal officer saving a dog from a hot car drew massive attention to the issue when it was picked up by The Dodo, one of the largest online platforms for pet content. The owner was later charged.
Strooband said excuses, such as ‘the dog loves to be in the car’, or that ‘it was only five minutes’, aren’t valid, and that a hot car can pose real dangers to an animal’s health.
But it isn’t only in the car that you need to be mindful of your pets temperatures.
Animals at home, including dogs spending time outside, or stray and feral cats also need provisions; be sure to provide an area of shade for them and plenty of clean, cool water to drink. “It’s too easy to go inside and enjoy air conditioning and forget your pet – if it’s too hot for you, its too hot for your pet” said Strooband.
The public is asked to call 911 or the Provincial Animal Welfare Cruelty Hotline at: 833-9-ANIMAL to report a dog suffering in a hot car. Those calling are asked to note the vehicle description, including the licence plate number.
