RSPCA Victoria chief executive Liz Walker said animals should never be left in hot cars, even for a short time, as the consequences could be tragic.
“It only takes six minutes for a dog to die in a hot car as temperatures can rise to dangerous levels very quickly and can reach double the outside temperature even on mild days,” she said.
“Tinted windows, parking in the shade or leaving windows down do not reduce the inside temperature significantly.”
Keeping pets cool can be the difference between life and death, and basic precautions can reduce the likelihood of animals suffering from heat stress, according to the RSPCA.
“None of us want animals to suffer in the heat so always make plans for your pets to be kept happy and safe, even in milder summer weather,“ Dr Walker said.
If animals must be left outside all day, the RSPCA said it’s essential that multiple sources of clean water were provided and recommends providing multiple sources of shelter that provide shade at different times of the day.
RSPCA Victoria received 1163 reports of abandoned animals last financial year, with 384 of these reports last summer.
When preparing for a holiday, it’s important to include pets in plans by either including them in the travel or ensuring they have proper care from friends, family, neighbours or a pet sitting service, the RSPCA said.
“Responsible pet ownership comes with legal and moral obligations to keep pets safe, including provision of food and water along with adequate shelter and veterinary care,“ the RSPCA said.
“RSPCA encourages pet owners to be aware of their responsibilities and to make sure their approach to caring for animals is adapted to warm weather in spring and summer.”
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