Many people consider their pets to be an extension of their family. Some even view their pets much like their own children. Many times, people take their pets with them on adventures and trips which, of course, includes taking them on trips in the car.
However, when the weather is warm and the sun is shining, there can be a lot of risks with bringing your pets in the car.
When it's very hot out, owners will run their air conditioning systems rather high so that their pets do not feel overheated and warm. Or, they will even leave their windows open and cracked.
Whether they're running to grab a coffee or make a transaction at the bank, there are times when pet owners think that they can leave their pets in the car.
When the sun is shining and the weather is too hot, leaving your pet in the car can lead to serious health issues including heat stroke. However, if you see a pet is locked in a hot car, you can help and save their life.
If you see a pet locked in a hot car, see if you can locate the pet's owner. You can do this by going into local stores or nearby places and asking for people to make an announcement reporting the car's make, model, and license plate.
Call the police or even a local animal shelter to come and send someone to help. Even if they cannot legally break into the car to let the pet out, they can guide you with some advice and helpful tips.
Pets left in hot cars can end up with heatstroke. It's important to see if the pet is in any distress or problematic conditions. In order to figure this out, knowing the signs of heatstroke are important.
Look into the car window and see if there is any excessive panting and shortness of breath or excessive drooling. If you see any pets that look like they are struggling to breathe, this can be a sign, too.
If any pets are vomiting in the car, this can be a big red flag. Vomiting showcases that the pet is in distress and is having extreme body temperature problems and can be a danger to them through dehydration.
Research and look at your local town or even your state's laws about leaving your pet in hot cars. Sometimes, there can be criminal charges against individuals who do so and they can face fines or even jail time.
Some people think breaking a car window is the right thing to do when you see a pet locked in the car. But, this can be a criminal charge of breaking someone else's car window and you should avoid it when possible.
If your town or state doesn't have any laws protecting pets against situations like this, speak up and advocate for them. Animals don't have a voice, so sometimes, we have to have a voice for them.
