Image Credit: Curtis Goodrum/CFJC Today

By Curtis Goodrum

PETS IN HOT CAR

With warmer weather approaching, BC SPCA reminding people to never leave pets in hot vehicles

Jun 6, 2025 | 5:48 PM

KAMLOOPS — With temperatures rising across the province, the BC SPCA is urging people to never leave their pets in hot vehicles, even if its just to run a quick errand.

“They can develop heatstroke quickly and it can take even, sometimes even only five minutes, depending on how hot it is and also depends on the pet,” Daria Evans, the Animal Centre Manager at the Kamloops SPCA, said.

“Senior pets or very young pets are more susceptible. Same with those with health conditions.”

There are Good Samaritans in Kamloops who take pet health into their own hands, when necessary.

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“We offer a service for the community, free of charge, so that we can unlock vehicles if there’s a concerned citizen and a dog in distress. We make sure that we unlock them and keep them safe” said Tessa Edwards, the manager at Browns Repair Shop.

“If we have to take them to the veterinarian for care, we do that as well.”

Edwards added that their staff take extra caution when dealing with pet emergencies.

“Usually, the RCMP has already been alerted,” Edwards said. “If the animal is in obvious distress or neglect, then we will alert the SPCA.”

“We check the temperature and check the dog’s demeanour, then at that point, we would open the car and put the animal into our air-conditioned vehicle with water and food and make sure that it’s happy and healthy.”

“We make sure that it’s actually necessary to get the dog out of the vehicle because we don’t want to cause anybody any stress unnecessarily,” added Edwards.

Evans said the SPCA also works in conjunction with local law enforcement to keep the pets of Kamloops safe.

“If they look unwell in any kind of way. Call your local police department, RCMP animal control, or call the BC SPCA, animal helpline,” Evans added.

If you do have to leave your animal in the car, it is best to leave it with the air conditioning blasting and the windows down to keep the animal as comfortable as possible. The SPCA, however, does not recommend that, in case the air conditioning fails.

“At the end of the day, it’s best to simply leave your dog at home where there’s more space, water and shade,” said Eileen Drever, Senior Officer Protection and Stakeholder Relations with the BC SPCA.

The BC SPCA added its Animal Helpline has already received 164 calls this year, and so its looking to spread awareness to decrease the number of instances where pets are left in vehicles.

“We had over 800 calls about dogs in hot cars last year, and this year we’re already at over 160, and it’s just barely June. So we’re hoping that this year we can hammer into folks that it’s just not worth the risk,” said Evans.