What to do when you see a dog in a hot car

[xoCourtney]

I feel as if my words and thoughts are being misconstrued so I am done posting in this thread. If you think I am a bad person or pet owner for being more understanding as to why SOME people would have to leave their dogs in the car for a short period of time that's okay. I know Miley will be very pleased coming to my home Saturday and this thread is dulling my excitement. Everyone's thoughts are appreciated but I just prefer not to post in this thread anymore.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by xoCourtney

I feel as if my words and thoughts are being misconstrued so I am done posting in this thread. If you think I am a bad person or pet owner for being more understanding as to why SOME people would have to leave their dogs in the car for a short period of time that's okay. I know Miley will be very pleased coming to my home Saturday and this thread is dulling my excitement. Everyone's thoughts are appreciated but I just prefer not to post in this thread anymore.

I understand exactly what you mean!

I am a very "hardcore" owner, lol. I am basically obsessed with my dog, he gets the best possible care possible, leads an amazing life, and is very well loved as everyone on YT knows. And yup, he's been left in the car before for very short periods of time. I go back and forth between houses (45 mins away from each other) and he pretty much travels with me ALOT. He's just nearly always with me. If I am en route to my dads house, and have to run into Walgreens for 5 mins, I am not going to drive to Walgreens, make the 15 min trip back home to pick up Jax, then go right back around, drove those 15 mins again and keep heading the direction. That's just silly.

With that said, I wouldn't do even 5 mins if the temp is extremely hot and/or humid and I am too paranoid to leave him in the car anywhere for more than 10 mins. And it's only running into places like gas stations, drug stores, Chipotle, etc, never a place like a mall or a grocery store, or anywhere I'd be for any length of time. Typically not unless I can SEE the car from the window in the establishment will I leave him. I have NO problem leaving him at home for errands that are unnecessary for him to be with me on but sometimes it's just not feasible to bring him home first for something if he's already with me, ya know.


I think just using common sense is what is best in these situations. I know my dog, his limits, my limits and what I'm comfortable with. I also do not have a 'desirable' yorkie to steal (he's not a tiny dog worth $$$ lol, sorry Jax) because that is certainly a concern. I would not leave him in a car for any period of time if temps are extremely humid and above 80-85. No matter what the temp is, I will always try to park in shade (even if it's 65). And like I said, I don't think I've ever left him more than 7 minutes tops anyway. He definitely goes on more errands with me in the winter and fall than spring and summer.

BUT, I am dog-savvy and I definitely support warnings though for the average folks who may not be so dog savvy. There ARE idiots out there who would leave their dogs in a car on a 100 degree day for 2 hours. Or not pay any attention at all to if a dog is over-heating by being outside too long, etc.

We have called the cops once at dogs in a car at a restaurant. Being logical.... if it's a gas station, probably a quick trip. A place like K-Mart? Maybe they're just running in, maybe they're not. At a restaurant though, you're typically going to be in there for 1-2+ hours. Not cool.

But, I don't just fly off the handle every time I see a dog in a car.

[Britster]

ETA: I mean, I guess I'm somewhere in the middle. I think some people can be WAY too crazy about it. But on the other hand, I think encouraging being AWARE is not a bad thing at all. What one dog can handle easily, another may not. I don't think people should be criticized or judged for thinking one way. Just different strokes for different folks.

[xoCourtney]

Originally Posted by Britster

ETA: I mean, I guess I'm somewhere in the middle. I think some people can be WAY too crazy about it. But on the other hand, I think encouraging being AWARE is not a bad thing at all. What one dog can handle easily, another may not. I don't think people should be criticized or judged for thinking one way. Just different strokes for different folks.

Originally Posted by Britster

I understand exactly what you mean!

I am a very "hardcore" owner, lol. I am basically obsessed with my dog, he gets the best possible care possible, leads an amazing life, and is very well loved as everyone on YT knows. And yup, he's been left in the car before for very short periods of time. I go back and forth between houses (45 mins away from each other) and he pretty much travels with me ALOT. He's just nearly always with me. If I am en route to my dads house, and have to run into Walgreens for 5 mins, I am not going to drive to Walgreens, make the 15 min trip back home to pick up Jax, then go right back around, drove those 15 mins again and keep heading the direction. That's just silly.

With that said, I wouldn't do even 5 mins if the temp is extremely hot and/or humid and I am too paranoid to leave him in the car anywhere for more than 10 mins. And it's only running into places like gas stations, drug stores, Chipotle, etc, never a place like a mall or a grocery store, or anywhere I'd be for any length of time. Typically not unless I can SEE the car from the window in the establishment will I leave him. I have NO problem leaving him at home for errands that are unnecessary for him to be with me on but sometimes it's just not feasible to bring him home first for something if he's already with me, ya know.


I think just using common sense is what is best in these situations. I know my dog, his limits, my limits and what I'm comfortable with. I also do not have a 'desirable' yorkie to steal (he's not a tiny dog worth $$$ lol, sorry Jax) because that is certainly a concern. I would not leave him in a car for any period of time if temps are extremely humid and above 80-85. No matter what the temp is, I will always try to park in shade (even if it's 65). And like I said, I don't think I've ever left him more than 7 minutes tops anyway. He definitely goes on more errands with me in the winter and fall than spring and summer.

BUT, I am dog-savvy and I definitely support warnings though for the average folks who may not be so dog savvy. There ARE idiots out there who would leave their dogs in a car on a 100 degree day for 2 hours. Or not pay any attention at all to if a dog is over-heating by being outside too long, etc.

We have called the cops once at dogs in a car at a restaurant. Being logical.... if it's a gas station, probably a quick trip. A place like K-Mart? Maybe they're just running in, maybe they're not. At a restaurant though, you're typically going to be in there for 1-2+ hours. Not cool.

But, I don't just fly off the handle every time I see a dog in a car.

10000000% agreed:thumbup :

[JMuedog]

Very Cool link to that site! Thanks for posting this just as its getting warmer out.
My Dog Is Cool | RedRover

I think its awesome they have fliers you can print, because I know that sometimes people just don't think. I shared their site on my fb page too. The more people that know the better.

Its good to just get the word out there for those that don't realize how warm your car can get.

[P-Nut Mom]

I feel I use common sense in these situations. I've called the police 3x in the past 15 years or so, once for an infant left in a car and 2x for dogs in a car when it was over 90 (that had been there for some length of time already, according to bystanders.) These situations clearly violated CA law. The child and dogs were definitely in distress and in danger.

Here's what the Humane Society of the U.S. says about it:

Keep Pets Safe in the Heat : The Humane Society of the United States

Year-round hot weather tips

Never leave your pets in a parked car.

Not even for a minute. Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85 degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die. If you see an animal in distress in a parked car, contact the nearest animal shelter or police. Spread the word about the dangers of leaving pets in hot cars by printing out our Hot Car flyer (PDF) to post in public places and share with your friends, family, and coworkers.

[MyTrixie143]

Luckily I haven't seen many cases of this because it would make me angry, I get angry anytime a pet isn't treated humanely.

I guess I am too paranoid to leave my yorkies in the car. Not only is high temperatures a huge risk but I'm too scared someone would break in and steal them. I've been tempted to run in for just a minute when I needed something real quick but then I remind myself that I could never live with myself if I did that and something happened in that short period of time. I'm sorry but I value their lives too much and an extra 15 minutes or more of driving time to ensure their safety and my peace of mind, is well worth it, IMO.

I think that is what everyone should ask themselves. Is it worth my dog getting stolen or injured? Could I live with myself for going into the store real quick and something did happen?

[beachdog]

I have cards I printed in my car that say.
Your dog loves you why don't you love your dog?
Hot day + Dog in car = Dead dog
The police have been called.

[gracielove]

Running into a 7/11 for 5 minutes or running over to pay for some gas is a lot different than going into a shopping mall or plaza where it is impossible to be gone only for 5 minutes. It takes several minutes to get into some of those places much less shopping and then waiting in line to pay for something.

I suppose the owner that stops to grab a few things before going home has good intentions of being back out to the car in a short amount of time but I'm sure many of us have seen the results of poor planning.....finding dogs in cars that sit in the sun for more than that 5 minutes is a horrifying experience. You have dogs being boiled before your eyes. You search frantically for a possible owner on the way back to the car and find none. A poor frantic dog or two staring you in the face and a parking lot full of empty cars can be your worst nightmare.
Please don't blame the poor people who try to help these animals. I am more than happy to stand by a car for 5 minutes hoping that the owner will come out and take their adoring dog home. Sadly that is not often the case.

We didn't come to the plaza to find dogs locked in cars that are well over 100 degrees inside. Our intention was also a short shopping trip. Grab a few needed items and go home to the family and pets. Not to stand by a car hoping someone will come soon to save these dogs! Not to have to call the police and wait for help to come. My family and my dog are home waiting for me!

At that point it is not a judgement on what kind of a person or dog owner we are dealing with. It is a mater of saving some poor animal from being cooked inside a car. I don't really care what kind of person they are. And this thread is not about judging people. It is about saving some pets from suffering and possibly even keeping others from having to face such a situation.

I have been there. I know what it's like. I'm not the kind of person that can walk away and pretend I didn't see it. Please don't judge me for being "radical." I'm not saying you can't run into a store for 5 minutes and leave your dog in the car. What I am saying is that many people lose track of time once they are inside a store and things happen that they cannot control so maybe it is better not to put the pet in that kind of a situation.

[Charlies Mamma]

Originally Posted by beachdog

I have cards I printed in my car that say.
Your dog loves you why don't you love your dog?
Hot day + Dog in car = Dead dog
The police have been called.

I love this

[sandy simpson]

You call the cops. That dogs life is in dnger. I would stand there till help comes and pray.

[Hrossen11]

I agree with both sides. When the weather warms up my boys stay home. If it is a cooler day and I am running in real quick. I turn on my auto start on my car (keeps ac on for 15min). Leave them in car for a bit parked in the shade. They are in their carrier so you can't see them in the car. We keep a temperature gauge in the car, so we know how hot the interior gets when.