Police: Don't Leave Your Pet In the Car, It Will Die

Fairfax County Animal Control Officers have responded to dozens of reports of animals locked in hot cars in parking lots this week and urge pet owners to keep pets at home on hot days.

With the National Weather Service issuing heat alerts throughout the week, the potentially dangerous combination of heat and humidity generates high heat indexes each day. This may mean life-threatening conditions for animals left in vehicles or other unsuitable environments; even for short time periods.

Officers urge pet owners to remember the following tips:

• Never leave pets in a parked car. On a warm day, temperatures can rapidly rise to dangerous levels.
• Shade and water are vital to pets. Pet owners must provide adequate shelter protecting animals from injury, rain, sleet, snow, hail, direct sunlight, and adverse effects of heat or cold. A dog house in the backyard with no access to shade does not protect animals from sun.
• Limit exercise on hot days. Take care to adjust intensity and duration of exercise. Watch for shortness of breath and remember that asphalt gets very hot and can burn paws; walk your dog on the grass if possible.
• Recognize the symptoms of heatstroke. If your pet shows signs such as heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, fever, dizziness, restlessness, excessive thirst and profuse salivation, contact your veterinarian immediately. Take steps to reduce the animal’s body temperature; apply ice packs or cold towels to the head, neck and chest, provide water and ice cubes for hydration, and move the animal into the shade or air-conditioning.

If you see an animal in distress in a parked car, contact police. Fairfax City Police Department: (703) 385-7924. Fairfax County Police Department: (703) 691-2131.