BC SPCA offers safety reminder about leaving animals in hot cars

As temperatures rise again across the province, the BC SPCA is reminding the public about the serious risks of leaving pets in hot vehicles and what to do if you see an animal showing heatstroke symptoms in a potentially hot car.

“People underestimate how quickly a vehicle can heat up to dangerous levels, putting animals at risk of potentially fatal consequences,” says Eileen Drever, senior officer protection, and stakeholder relations. “Temperatures inside a car parked in direct sunlight can more than double in minutes so even just ‘running a quick errand’ can have a devastating outcome.”

Leaving the air conditioning on, the windows down, or parking in the shade may seem like a good option to help pets stay cool, but it is not a reliable solution nor one the BC SPCA recommends. “If the air conditioning fails, for example, your pet could be suffering while you think they are resting comfortably in the back seat. The best and safest solution is always to leave your dog at home,” says Drever.

In 2025, the BC SPCA Animal Helpline opened 607 animal protection files about animals in hot cars. So far in 2026, the Animal Helpline has already opened 143 files – and that number will rise with the temperatures.

Regional breakdown of 2025 BC SPCA animal protection files related to animals in hot cars:  
 
Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley 237

Vancouver Island, Gulf Island and Sunshine Coast 151

Thompson, Okanagan, and Kootenay 184

Cariboo and North 35

What to do if you have concerns about an animal sitting in a potentially hot car:

·        Take note of the time, license plate, vehicle colour, make and model and connect with nearby businesses to have the animal owner paged to return to their vehicle immediately.

·        Contact your local animal control agency, police department or RCMP, or the BC SPCA Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722 as soon as possible if the animal is showing signs of heatstroke – in dogs this can look like exaggerated panting, lethargy, heavy drooling, an anxious or staring expression, difficulty breathing, muscle tremors or lack of coordination, restlessness, convulsions, vomiting, collapse.

·        Relay location information of the car including city, address, and landmarks, especially if the vehicle is in a busy parking lot.

·        Cover the vehicle’s windshield with a towel or a blanket if one is available to you. This helps act as a temporary thermal barrier but should only be used in emergency situations and not relied on to keep pets safe under normal circumstances.

What NOT to do if you have concerns about an animal sitting in a potentially hot car:

·        We understand life is busy, but do NOT ignore an animal exhibiting signs of heatstroke. Even simply passing along information to a nearby business or authority can help save a life.

·        Do NOT break the window. Only RCMP, local police, and BC SPCA Special Provincial Constables have the authority to enter a vehicle lawfully to help a pet exhibiting signs of heatstroke. 

·        Do NOT confront the animal owner.

·        Do NOT force water down the animal’s throat.

 
Drever adds, “When people say they would break a glass window to help an animal out of a hot car, we know they are coming from a place of compassion, but it can really escalate an already dangerous situation. Not only are you putting yourself at risk by breaking a window, but you also risk harming the animal. Reach out to a local authority with both the appropriate training and power to act under the law instead.”