Hot car... how long is too long?

[Freedom]

Happylabs, here is a pamphlet you can print: and I bet you can find others online too. THis was just the first one popped up when I searched.

http://www.helpinganimals.com/pdfs/hotundercollar.pdf

[pomtzu]

Happylabs, here is a pamphlet you can print: and I bet you can find others online too. THis was just the first one popped up when I searched.

http://www.helpinganimals.com/pdfs/hotundercollar.pdf

Thanks Sandie. I think I'll print some up and keep them in the car - just in case. And if I do see it again and the window is open enough to slide it thru, I will, rather than putting it under the wiper blade to be thrown away without even being read!

[Taz_Zoee]

Reading what Sandie posted from the various organizations actually gets me a little mad. I don't know if anyone remembers me posting about a Samoyed dog left in a car here at my work last summer. But I called the Animal Control and they told me they couldn't do anything unless the temp inside the car was hotter than outside. It was 100+ degrees outside! The windows were all the way down and he was in the shade (the owner even moved the car to be in shade later in the day) but still! I was so mad. Good thing is, I haven't seen that car here anymore since that day. Thank goodness!!

I do know that people post flyers on cars. I don't think it's against any laws unless it's posted in the lot. We hand out flyers at the shelter during the warm months just as reminders.

[mr.chiwawa]

I HATE to do this. But in my state it is NOT agasint the law to leave your dog in the car. Unless the dog is showing extreme signs of disstress. I have actually gotten a ticket for calling in to the police about a dog left in a car. When they arrived I was informed it wasn't my place and the dog wasn't in any destress so here's my 300 dollar ticket. And was basically told to mind my own bussiness next time around.

[dab_20]

I am glad you did something about this. I personally will not leave my dogs alone in the car... maybe if I'm running into the gas station for literally a minute. It also causes my two huuuge distress to be left in the car alone! I know in Utah, even in the winter, it can get BOILING in the car. It is irresponsible to leave a pet in the car alone... treat them as you would a child.

[Daisy and Delilah]

I HATE to do this. But in my state it is NOT agasint the law to leave your dog in the car. Unless the dog is showing extreme signs of disstress. I have actually gotten a ticket for calling in to the police about a dog left in a car. When they arrived I was informed it wasn't my place and the dog wasn't in any destress so here's my 300 dollar ticket. And was basically told to mind my own bussiness next time around.

In Florida, it's basically warm/hot all year long. I have been in this situation many times. It's so hard to make the call because we don't know if the person just went in the store.
You did a fabulous job and if I were close to you, I would give you a hug. AWESOME-WAY TO GO!!!!
In the hottest times of the year, I would not hesitate to do something right away. Occasionally, we have some cool days but the sun is usually beaming down on all parking lots. The asphalt is hot and those cars are like ovens.

My best answer would be to do exactly what you did. Stay on top of it until some resolution has been made. Some people could be in stores for an hour or more. Especially some pharmacies or grocery stores, trying on clothes, shoes, etc.
In Florida I guess we follow our instincts and do the right thing like you did!! You are my hero!!

[happylabs]

Thanks Sandie. I think I'll print some up and keep them in the car - just in case. And if I do see it again and the window is open enough to slide it thru, I will, rather than putting it under the wiper blade to be thrown away without even being read!

Thanks for posting the pamphlet. I am definitely printing it out!

I like your idea of slipping the pamphlet into the cracked window too.

[Sher.Fla]

Thanks for saying I did the right thing. I was just in such a quandry as I didn't know exactly what to do. Do I call 911? Isn't that just for life and death emergencies of humans? My husband said I should call the sheriff's office. He has since put that number in my phone. Or is it animal control? I wonder how long it takes someone to get there? I would hate to call and then have the offender be gone by then... I did get the license number. I wonder if they would follow up on that?

I thought about going into the store but I had no idea how to 'find' the person in there and I was afraid he/she would get out while I was looking inside. All I wanted to do at that time after waiting (and thinking about my ice cream melting in my trunk) was jump all over this idiot, which I did. I surprised myself, as I have never spoken to a stranger like that in my life, but he so ROYALLY deserved it! And then that other lady drove around and yelled at him, too.... well, that was sooo great! Then she drove back around to my side of the parking lot and gave me a 'thumbs up'! .... well, I just smiled to myself the whole way home...I felt good...

[Vette]

Unfortunately some peoples biggest mistake is they think "i'll only be a few minutes" but dont stop to consider the time it takes to walk to whereever in the store to get the item/s they want an than if theres a waiting line at the cash register/s how much time it really will take. those 'few minutes' can turn into a lot of minutes. =/


as for when to call the police,, well thats something im confused on cuz the owner/s may have just did park there but an havent even made it inside the store yet. i guess best next thing to do is watch for distress like what ya were doing.

glad ya did the right thing

[Catlady711]

I don't always agree that it's NEVER ok to leave an animal in a car for any amount of time for any reason. I think there are several factors to consider; length of time, temperature, shade or sun, whether the car has A/C that was used, breeze, etc.

I have, on rare occasion, needed to leave a kitty or two in my car. However (before you all go rabid on me saying I'm a horrible cat owner), I had known in advace I would be stopping for 15 minutes or less by the clock (depending on outside temperature), and had cranked the A/C to Artic temps prior to arriving at my destination. If anything my kittes were cold since they were always curled up napping, no panting, no distress, and the vehicle was always still cool inside when I returned. I don't crack open the windows as it lets the heat in, and I park in the shade if possible, or if not then I make sure it's a much shorter stop or make a separate trip if necessary without the cats if it's too hot out.

In the case of seeing other people's animals in cars, I have been known to report some. In those cases the animals were in obvious distress, heavy panting, outside temps were dangerous levels, etc.

I always use the theory of 'how long would I want to sit in that car without the A/C on'. I have never left my kitties in a car longer than I myself would have been comfortable sitting in like that.

[Vette]

^ thank you for pointing that out. that is something i had not thought of before.


ive also seen dogs being left in campers on hot days. im gussing campers can get just as hot