With temperatures soaring into the 90s and heat indexes even higher, the SPCA of Tompkins County is receiving numerous calls every day about animals left in hot vehicles and tied outside without access to water or shade, including one dog that has reportedly died as a result of being tied up outside without shelter.  Jim Bouderau, the SPCA’s executive director, is discouraged by this and wants to remind all county residents that proper care must be taken during extreme weather conditions.

“Not only is it the right thing to do,” he says, “it is the law.” New York State Agriculture and Market Law states “A person shall not confine a companion animal in a motor vehicle in extreme heat or cold without proper ventilation or other protectio.”

Animal control officers may take necessary steps to remove an animal from a vehicle, including breaking the windows or door locks.

All pets should have ample access to shade and plenty of fresh water. It only takes a few minutes for a car to heat up to dangerous temperatures, and furry pets can get overheated very easily in direct sun. Signs of heat distress include rapid breathing, heavy panting, salivation and lethargy. Further signs include muscle tremors or staggering. If your pet experiences any of these symptoms, remove the pet to a cooler location immediately, administer small doses of water and contact your vet.

Other issues this summer have included a large number of missing dog and cat reports. With windows and doors opening more in the hot weather, many dogs are straying from home and a large number of indoor cats, who often do not wear collars or identification tags, have been reported as missing. “Making sure your pet has a current ID tag is incredibly important,” Bouderau says. “It is extremely difficult to reunite dogs with their guardians and even harder to find cats who have strayed. Cats tend to hide more when they get out.”

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