With summer temperatures finally sweeping the Island, police and the BC SPCA are reminding people to keep their pets safe in parked vehicles.
Sean Hogan with the BC SPCA says every year the agency gets hundreds of emergency calls to rescue dogs left in hot cars. He says that in hot weather, even a few minutes can lead to heatstroke, or even death, for pets left alone.
Dogs have no sweat glands, and cool themselves by panting and releasing heat through their paws.
The best place for pets on hot summer days is at home, with shade and plenty of fresh water. Hogan says if you must travel with pets, make sure they can stay cool.
If you see a pet in a parked vehicle that appears to be in distress, you should note the licence plate and vehicle information, and notify nearby businesses to page the owner to return to their vehicle immediately. Otherwise, call the local SPCA or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Police want to remind people that it’s illegal to break a car window to access the interior of a vehicle, leave it to the RCMP or Special Provincial Constables to make that call.
Heatstroke in pets
- Exaggerated panting (or the sudden stopping of panting)
- Rapid or erratic pulse
- Salivation
- Anxious or staring expression
- Weakness and muscle tremors
- Lack of coordination, convulsions
- Vomiting
- Collapse
What to do if your pet has heatstroke
- Immediately move the animal to a cool, shady place.
- Wet the dog with cool water.
- Fan vigorously to promote evaporation. This will cool the blood, which reduces the animal’s core temperature.
- Do not apply ice. This constricts blood flow, which will inhibit cooling.
- Allow the animal to drink some cool water (or to lick ice cream if no water is available).
- Take the animal to a veterinarian as soon as possible for further treatment.
