The Ontario SPCA’s “No Hot Pets” campaign was successful in its mission.
That’s what Natalie Rizzuti, an Inspector with the Ontario SPCA, is saying now that the campaign has wrapped up. It was run over the summer to spread the word that pets should never be left in the car or outside in the heat unattended.
Rizzuti says they wanted to spread the word about what to do if you do see a pet in distress inside a hot car. She says to call 310-SPCA (7722) and an agent will be sent out if there’s one in the area, or to call local police if it’s an immediate emergency. Rizzuti suggested having someone wait by the car and sending someone else inside the store to find the car’s owner if they know who it is. Even though you may see viral videos of people smashing car windows to save an over-heating dog, Rizzuti said the OSPCA don’t suggest you take these situations into your own hands.
Province-wide, there were over 280 calls to the OSPCA since the campaign started on June 21st to report an unattended pet in a car or outside in the heat. Last year, Rizzuti said there were over 1,400 calls during the campaign. The goal of the campaign every year, Rizzuti says, has been to have zero calls about unattended pets in hot cars or other hot areas.
Rizzuti says that it has become socially unacceptable to leave pets unattended. She says it’s not a risk a responsible pet owner should be taking.
For more information on the Ontario SPCA’s “No Hot Pets” campaign, visit their website.