Show love for your pets by leaving them at home on hot days, humane society says

As the first heat wave of the year continues in Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County, people are being reminded to leave their pets at home.

Waterloo regional police have responded to 10 calls for pets left in vehicles this month and issued a reminder on the social media website X that children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles.

"Temperatures inside can quickly become hotter than the temperature outsideand cracking a window does not help," police said.

The Guelph Humane Society has responded to 20 calls so far this year, with most of those happening in the past month, executive director Lisa Veit told CBC News.A pet left in a vehicle without air conditioning running is at riskof heat stroke and possibly death.

"I think a lot of people who take their dogs with them in the car are doing it because the dog likes to come along with them," Velt said. "They get to spend time with their dog. But leaving a dog in a hot car or any pet in a hot car is a life-threatening situation for them and it can turn so within a matter of a few minutes."

She added many pet owners think it'll be OK so long as they roll down the windows, but Veit saidthat isn't enough.

"Dogs can't sweat like we do as humans. So their internal temperature goes up very quickly," she said. "Just leaving the window open for a bit of air to vent through is not sufficient and itstill will mean that environment is going to pose a real risk to your pet."

The humane society has launched a campaign reminding people that loving your pet means leaving them at home.

"Truly, when the temperatures in the summer are hot and the threats certainly are real for pets and cars," she said.

"The kindest thing that you can do is leave them at home in a cool space and then you can spend time with themwhen you get back home."

Call for help if animal in distress

Waterloo regional police said anyone who sees an animal in a hot car in distressand is concerned the animal's life is in dangershould call 911 immediately.

"This is an emergency. Do not attempt to enter a vehicle in these situations," police said.

Veitsaid people who leave their pets in hot vehicles can face a penalty, such as charges under the provincial Animal Welfare Services Act.Under the law, police and provincial animal welfare inspectors are permitted to enter vehicles to help pets in distress.

"Leaving your pets in a car and creating a situation for this type of distress can be viewed very seriously," she said.

"Pet owners should just make sure that they're aware of the threats of the risk to their pet and take appropriate precautions."

The "love means leaving me at home" campaign isn't just for this current heat wave, but will run all summer, Veit said.

She saidit's also a good reminder to keep walks shorter on really hot days and take longer walks early in the morning or in the evenings to avoid the hottest part of the day.

"They want to go outside, they want to go for walks, they want to go in the car. They just don't understand the risks that are going to be there for them," she said.

"That's our role as pet owners to make sure that we understand them and we keep them safe."