Temperatures are expected to rise drastically across BC this weekend, and sadly that will mean animals left in hot cars.
So far in 2024, the Animal Helpline has already received 257 calls for animals left in hot cars, and that number is expected to go up.
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Last year, the BC SPCA said it received a total of 837 calls.
“We hear it all the time, ‘I was just running into the store, I was only gone a few minutes!’ but what many people don’t understand is that even a few minutes can have fatal effects for an animal,” says Eileen Drever, senior officer for protection and stakeholder relations for the BC SPCA.
“Not to mention, even the shortest trips can easily turn into a half an hour or more in the store while your pet suffers in the heat.”
Drever adds that while you might think your pet would rather join you on your errands, unless you know for certain that they can come into the stores you plan on visiting it is better to leave them at home in a controlled temperature with easy access to cool, fresh water.
The BC SPCA also wants to remind the public that breaking a car window to remove an animal is both illegal and dangerous. Only RCMP, local police and the BC SPCA officers have the authority to lawfully enter a vehicle to help a pet in distress.
If you are concerned about an animal that has been left alone in a car, you should take note of the license 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, like 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 the BC SPCA Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722 as soon as possible.
You will need to relay location information of the car including city and landmarks, especially if the vehicle is located in a busy parking lot, and listen to the instructions of the call takers, says the BC SPCA.
The organization also has free “No Pets in Hot Cars” decals that you can receive in the mail to help spread the word.
