Photo I took of a dog inside a vehicle while owner goes into a business. The owner was away from the car for over 20 minutes. I stayed in my car beside him until owner returned and dog was safe.
Most of the nation has been enduring a heat wave with temperatures soaring nearing 100 degrees in the Northeast with the humidity making it feel like 115 degrees. This is a dangerous time for the sick, the elderly and our pets.
It seems every day I read or hear stories about pets dying in hot cars or left outside in yards with no protection from the heat. I’m baffled as to why anyone would think leaving a furry pet in a parked vehicle with the windows barely cracked would be safe for them. As I’ve said in previous articles, cars turn into ovens within minute and they literally will bake your pet alive. Even Police Officers are guilty of leaving their K-9 Officers in hot, parked vehicles with the end result being death.
Join me, Wednesday, July 27th at 6:30 PM, when Janine Choplick, Humane Officer for Hillside SPCA will share her experiences about pets and this dangerous heatwave. We will discuss ways in which we can keep animals safe and alive during hot summer weather.
What is the number one sign that your pet is overheating? Panting. Excessive panting and your dog having problems breathing are dangerous signs and need a trip to the vet asap!!! They can develop difficult breathing with their respiration rate getting faster. When your pet drools excessively, your pet is overheating and this is a way for your pet to expel the heat in its body. Your pet is in danger of collapse, have seizures or die. Take these symptoms seriously so your pet doesn’t suffer.
Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh, cool water at all times! If you keep your pet outside, bring him indoors!!!
A dog house is very much like an oven as your car is. It does NOT help your dog to stay cool. If your dog is outside, make sure they have plenty of shade!!!
If you walk your dog, do so in the early morning hours and later in the evening when temps are cooler. Take water with you so your dog doesn’t become dehydrated. Watch out for the hot asphalt. If it is too hot for you to walk on, it is too hot for your dog to walk on! Paws can and get burnt from hot asphalt.
Animals need plenty of fresh water when the heat rises as they will become dehydrated more quickly than usual. And, when walking your dog, Willson says to be mindful of the temperature of the asphalt.
Signs that a dog might be experiencing heat stroke should be taken seriously:
Excessive panting with drooling is the number one sign.
If you are giving them water and their breathing continues to elevate, get them to a cool spot and contact your vet immediately. It can literally save your pet’s life!!
If you see a dog in a car who may be in distress, call your local police or local SPCA/shelter/animal control. Don’t leave a pet in distress. You may be the only hope for that pet to remain alive!
Showtime is 6:30 PM (live) on Ch. 15 (Comcast) Ch. 21 (Service Electric). The program airs in Pennsylvania. Can’t see the show in your area? Streamline the show live over the internet by clicking on this link.
Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein is a television talk show host, speaker, writer and animal advocate. She hosts the show, ” A Close-Up Look at Animal Welfare Issues.” Have a story, please email Tina at tevangelistaepp@yahoo. Like my tv page at https://www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookAtAnimalWelfareIssues and check out AnimalWelfareIssues.com for all the tv shows you may have missed!
If people really cared about their animals, they wouldn’t leave them inside their hot cars out outside in the hot sun. It’s that simple.
“Rolling down a window or parking in the shade doesn’t guarantee protection either, since temperatures can still climb into the danger zone. And if the window is rolled down sufficiently, the pet can escape. Plus if a passer-by claims he or she was bitten through the car window, the pet owner will be liable. ” I didn’t know that.
Am I allowed to break a car window if I think the dog is going to die?
It depends on the state in which you live. Currently, 16 states have laws that forbid anyone from leaving their pets in a parked vehicle in the hot or cold weather. You need to check the laws in your state. Always, call for help asap wherever you are. Call your local police or animal control. Try to locate the owner if possible. Ask store owners or other businesses in the area to make an announcement about the pet. Thanks for the good question.
I have a neighbor down the road who keeps their dogs outside in the heat. They have dog houses and water. Should I report them? They always look so hot especially in this heat wave. I’m afraid what they’ll do to me when they find out it was me who called animal control.
You usually can file a report anonymously. Ask whomever you speak to that you wish to be anonymous in the event the person asks for a name. Speaking up for the pet can be the difference between life and death and you could be their only hope if they are in a dire situation. Thank you.
Hillside SPCA is a great place to adopt a new family member. They have so many and really could use the help. With the resources they have, I admire the hard work all of them do. Please help them. The workers and the animals would be so grateful. 🙂
Agreed!
I would do anything to save a pet in a life or death case. If the pet has a short time left, doing whatever it takes is not an issue for me.
If that means breaking a window so be it.
I didn’t know that all dogs can’t swim. I thought it came naturally to them. I’ve never taken my dog swimming. Hmm makes me think twice about it. I always like your show. Janine is great.
It is surprising to some dog owners. Dogs with short legs have a more difficult time swimming such as a bulldog. Others dogs don’t know how to swim and have to be taught. Make sure you’re with your dog if you take him/her when they enter a body of water. You’d rather be safe than sorry. If you go boating or canoeing, make sure your dog has a life vest which will save your pup’s life if anything should happen such as the boat tipping over.
You are correct about Janine. Janine is one of the finest humane officers I have the pleasure of knowing. She is dedicated to the cause and works very hard at what she does. I will pass your message onto Janine.
Thanks!
I couldn’t believe a puppy was left outside in a carrier with no water. He was basically was left to die. No owner was home. Why?
No one knows why the puppy was left in the carrier. It really makes no sense to do that. It almost seems as if she was intentionally trying to hurt this puppy. Leaving a puppy outside in a carrier with no water in the hot sun during the hottest part of the day is incredibly stupid or the owner purposely did it. Still, there is no answer to your question. Sorry. At least, the puppy is safe! 🙂
Thanks!
Police have been saving more pets in hot cars lately. It’s been in the news. I think more people are becoming aware and looking out for the animals. We need to watch out for children stuck in hot cars too. I don’t know how anyone can leave either one in a hot car. That’s just me. I’m not married and have no kids so who am I to say anything? Still, I never forget my dogs. Ever. How do you forget about a human being? Seems illogical but perhaps not if I was a busy mom running around doing so many things for my family. Your life is not your own anymore. Very sad.