Don't Leave Animals in Hot Cars

The Saskatoon SPCA would like to remind the citizens of Saskatoon that every summer, countless animals suffer and even die in scorching-hot parked vehicles. In just minutes, your car will heat up and can cause severe and irreversible damage – and even death – from heat stroke. There is no safe amount of time to leave your pet in the car on a warm day. Animals, especially dogs, are much more susceptible to heat stroke than humans; the temperature inside your car can rise between 8 and 10 degrees in just 10 minutes on a 30-degree day, and your dog could suffer severe and irreversible damage from heat stroke after just 15 minutes. Leaving the windows open or parking in the shade does not reduce this risk.

  • • In 2019, our Animal Protection Officers responded to a record-breaking 194 calls.
  • • Animal Protection Officers have measured temps as high as 60 degrees in a parked vehicle.

It can be avoided. Simply leave your companion animal(s) at home or take them with you while you’re away from your vehicle. When it’s warm outside, it’s hot inside. For an animal, even just a few minutes in a hot vehicle with nothing but overheated air to breathe can have a drastic and unfortunate outcome. Leave them at home and save their life.

If you suspect your pet is experiencing heat exhaustion, you can cool it off by immersing its body in cool water and taking them to a veterinarian immediately.

If you see an animal in distress, please call 306-975-8478.

 

Thank you to Saskatoon Media Group, Shaw Spotlight, Early's Farm & Garden Centre, Medavie Health Services West, and Astro Towing for helping us spread the word and protect animals in need!