Despite multiple warnings, some people are still leaving pets inside of parked vehicles on hot days.
Jason Hamm, manager of animal control with Pet and Wildlife Rescue, says they're getting several complaints called in, and summer only just started. On Thursday afternoon, Environment Canada issued heat warnings for all of southwestern Ontario, as weekend temperatures will be above 30 C.
"This year we've received quite an abundance of calls already," he says.
To give people a hint of what it's like for an animal to be stuck in a hot vehicle, the organization is holding an awareness event on July 6 that's open to the public. Hamm says members from the local police force, fire services, municipal staff, and media will sit in a vehicle for 15 minutes. Afterwards, there will be a barbecue and attendees can meet some of the local pets that are up for adoption.
Hamm says money raised through the event will go towards buying temperature guns for rescue officials to use when testing if a vehicle is too hot inside.
"Anything above 30 C -- anything really above the temperature it is outside is cause for concern," he says. "It varies from animal to animal."
"A lot of people think that if they just run into a store real quick ... their animal will be fine in a car, which is not necessarily the case. It can cause quite a bit of harm to the animal."
If residents notice that an animal is in distress, Hamm says they should call police or animal control's emergency line at 519-784-6146.
The "Turn Off The Heat" awareness event will be held in the parking lot in front of the Chatham Pet Smart. It'll run from 12pm-2pm on July 6.
Additional information about the local Pet and Wildlife Rescue can be found by clicking here.
