SPCA issues warning ahead of hot stretch of weather

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – We’re expecting another run of hot and sunny conditions over the next week or so and while you may be out enjoying it, your pets need a little extra attention.

“We really do encourage people to just leave their pets at home when they’re going out in the car,” says Lori Chortyk with the BC SPCA.

That’s because while 20 degrees might sound great for people, it can be deadly for Rover, Rex or Fido even with the window open.

“People don’t realize just how quickly their cars can become a death trap for their pets. We know that if people are taking their pets with them it’s because they love these animals and they want to spend time with them. But they really don’t realize it can take as little as 10 minutes for the car to reach temperatures where the animal can suffer irreparable brain damage or can die,” says Chortyk.

And while the SPCA issues a similar warning every year around this time, Chortyk says sadly, it remains necessary. “I think we received close to 1,000 calls to rescue dogs from cars and we really don’t want to see that happening again. It’s such a preventable tragedy.”

If you see a situation where a pet is trapped inside a vehicle, she encourages you to try and track down the owner quickly. But if it looks like the animal is in serious trouble, you can call 911 or the SPCA.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today