Triple Digit Temperatures Are Here, Please Don't Leave Pets In Hot Cars

Every year, pup parents are cautioned not to leave their pups in the car. Why? Because temperatures rise rapidly within a vehicle and can quickly hit triple digit degrees. This can in turn cause heat stroke and, eventually, death.

If you’re passing by a pup in a car who is panting, drooling, or appears listless or distressed, then you can help to save the pup’s life. Here are the steps to follow if you see a pup in danger this way.

1. Note down the details of the car: license plate number, model, and make.

2. Head to nearby businesses and ask managers or guards to make an announcement regarding the situation to alert the owner of the vehicle and the corresponding pet parent.

3. If you cannot locate the owner, call the local police by their non-emergency number, or contact animal control. Inform them of the situation and wait near the car for help. Be sure to have these numbers on hand with you, as they can be useful for other emergencies, too!

4. Be aware of the laws in your area. In some states, you can legally take reasonable action to free the pup from the car if you believe they are in danger.

As they say, prevention is better than cure. So there are ways you can prepare yourself for this situation, and ways that you can help pup parents learn more about the dangers of leaving their pups inside cars. Contact your town’s representatives to talk about setting up laws that make leaving pets alone in parked cars illegal, and find out more about advocating for animal rights.

And of course, you can share this to spread the word!