The SPCA has appealed to dog owners to leave dogs at home, not in vehicles, this hot summer.

On a hot day, the inside of a vehicle heats up quickly and can seriously harm dogs. A dark-coloured vehicle parked in full sun can reach unbearable internal temperatures in just minutes. 

Dogs rely on panting to cool down. But in a hot vehicle, even with the windows slightly open, panting is not enough to keep a dog’s body temperature within a safe range.

 “Many people leave their dog in the car thinking they’re only going to be a few minutes, but it’s important always to expect the unexpected,” SPCA CEO Gabby Clezy said.

“You might find that you get to the store and the queue is longer than usual, or you bump into someone you know and start chatting, all while your dog is waiting in the car.

“If you’re planning on going out for a short time, leave your dog at home or in the care of a friend, family member or neighbour,” she said.

One of the summer’s most significant preventable welfare issues is dogs left inside hot cars. 

SPCA inspector Ben Lakomy said it’s disappointing the message still isn’t getting through to some pet owners.

“It’s an offence to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress, such as excessive panting, drooling or hyperventilation,” he said.

“When it’s 21°C outside, temperatures in a car parked in the shade with the windows down can exceed 31°C in less than ten minutes. In 30 minutes, it goes up to 40°C. On a hot day, the temperature inside the vehicle can exceed 50°C.”

From January 2021 to October 2022, SPCA received 214 welfare complaints about dogs being left unattended inside hot vehicles.

People concerned about dogs left in vehicles showing signs of distress should contact the SPCA.