There is NO EXCUSE for leaving your pet in a vehicle on a warm day!

Parked cars will heat up to dangerous temperatures rapidly, even on mild, sunny days. On a 26°C day, the temperature in a car can reach 46°C in 20 minutes.

In other words, even on a mild day, the temperature inside your vehicle can very quickly reach levels that are dangerous to your pet! Five minutes is five too many!

Research has shown that “precautions,” such as leaving the vehicle’s windows cracked or parking in the shade, are inadequate. They do not prevent the internal temperature of the vehicle from quickly reaching dangerous levels.

Heatstroke can be a fatal condition. Every year too many pets lose their lives as a result of heatstroke caused by having been left in a parked vehicle. Please refer to the SaskSPCA’s Hot Weather Care: Heatstroke factsheet for information on the symptoms and treatment of this dangerous condition.

What should I DO if I find a pet left in a vehicle?

• Note the vehicle’s make, model, and registration
• Ask businesses in the area to page the car’s owner(s) to return to their vehicle
• Wait by the vehicle until the dog is safe
• Call you local animal control or appropriate enforcement agency
• Call the non-emergency number of your local police

What should I NOT DO if I find a pet left in a vehicle?

• Break the vehicle’s window. Even with the best of intentions this is illegal and you could face criminal charges.

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