How to Help Dogs Left in Hot Cars

Do you know what to do if you see a dog left unattended in a car on a hot day? With the record breaking heat this summer, it’s even more dangerous for dogs to be left in cars where the temperatures can reach near 115 degrees in as short as half an hour. Never leave your pet unattended in a car, no matter how short of a trip you think you are making. Here are tips from the ASPCA on what to do if you see a dog left alone in a car.

Step 1: Try to Locate the Pet Parent
If you can’t see anyone near by, go into the store and ask that they page for the people over the loudspeaker. Most stores are happy to do this for you.

Step 2: Educate
If the owners show up, nicely explain the dangers of leaving their pet in a hot car. If they don’t show up go onto step 3.

Step 3: Call 911
Fourteen states have enacted specific laws that protect dogs in hot cars. Even if it’s not a law in your state, depending on the condition of the dog it could constitute cruelty.

For more information visit the ASPCA website.

Read more: aspca, dogs, dogs in hot cars, summer

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Barbara S.

10:14PM PDT on Oct 1, 2011

I wanted to respond to Fallon, privately... but since I can't, I'll tell all of you how I feel. I don't believe in Capital Punishment - except when it comes to torturing or leaving animals to die in extremely cold or hot temperatures, hung on barbed-wire, etc., and when someone is trying to hurt me or my animal family. The rest of the criminals can rot in jail all their lives; but abusers of helpless animals, or hurting one of mine or me, so I can't take proper care of mine? You're dead... My guns will speak for me when you don't listen to what I say.

send a green star

Emma L.

5:01PM PDT on Aug 5, 2011

it's sad that people are dumb enough to leave their animals in hot cars, but thanks for the info

4:19PM PDT on Aug 1, 2011

Last year at my local market I witnessed two dogs left in a black SUV with the windows rolled up. They were drooling... I ran inside the store, and since all the checkers and the manager and the owners know us well, I yelled at Lara to give me the PA Microphone. I called our the license plate number of the SUV and described the dogs; not a soul came forward to claim the responsibility. Well, since the owner could have been in the cafe around the corner, the dry cleaners, the hair shop or the real estate office, or a couple of other places, I ran to the manager's office and asked him for a hammer or a wrench. He went with me and we broke a side window and took water for the dogs. The neighbor across the street volunteered to "stand guard" so no one would steal the dogs or burglarize the car, until the owner came back... an hour later the car owner showed up, and was pissed as hell over the broken window. The police arrived just as he was threatening the store manager for damaging his vehicle, and threatening to sue the store. The police cited him for animal neglect and abuse and warned him to never to do this again, or the dogs would we taken away.

Scott H.

11:05AM PDT on Aug 1, 2011

I was once passing a nice summer afternoon with my girlfriend and her mother in an upscale dowtown area. When we parked, I noticed that a dog had been left in a vehicle near us. I did not know how long the dog had been there, but I was a little worried, especially since I've met more good dogs than I have good people. I decided that since I had no idea how long the dog had been left I would not file a police report (unfortunately, it was out of fear of being charged with filing a false one, lovely country I live in, eh?) but simply wait until I happened upon an officer. As luck would have it, and since there is a fairly well-represented police force in the area, we happened upon an officer fairly quickly. He was not rushing, nor talking on his phone or radio, and I am always sure to be polite to officers of the law, even if only out of aformentioned fear. This officer though, could not help me. You see, he was an officer in a different city... While I appreciate that he had no legal authority where I was, I could not believe that he, as a police officer of a neighboring community had absolutley NO contacts where I was, not even the local non-emergency number. More likely, in my opinion, was his simple wish to not be involved at all.

Lin M.

8:06AM PDT on Aug 1, 2011

People have to know this is wrong. Skip all steps, break window and take animal to shelter or take him home and love the animal as deserved.

Katherine W.

7:48AM PDT on Aug 1, 2011

You just can't fix stupid..............

And anyone who claims they weren't aware of the dangers of leaving any living being in a hot vehicle is a complete and utter moron who shouldn't have a pet.

These stories are all too common and warnings are issued each and every year to protect animals from stupid humans yet we continue to have these tragedies. I guess it's easier to claim ignorance than admit to shirking responsibility.

Brenda T.

7:23AM PDT on Aug 1, 2011

I'd call the RSPCA in the U.K.

Ernie M.

6:59AM PDT on Aug 1, 2011

Tom S. Havent you noticed that is how some people treat their kids! there is step 4 if either the police or the pets owners can not be found in a relitivly short period of time the side windows of cars break pretty easy. most any sharp object will cause it to break. have some one get the animals attention on the far side of the car and break the window. then take the animal to a rescue facility. or find private adoption if you are afraid you will get prosicuted for breaking the window. My Poor dog dont get the long runs she so craves because we are going on 20 days of 100+. it is just not safe to let them do what they want sometimes. If I am going to the bank or a drive thru she can go for her ride. but there is no way my pet ever gets left in a car. Heck I have been know to sneek her into a cassino where she always wins because strangers feeds the machine she sets at.

Marcia M.

6:17AM PDT on Aug 1, 2011

Thanks..

Virginia E.

11:38PM PDT on Jul 31, 2011

only idiots leave animals in the hot weather not realizing is deathly for the dog hello!