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107/365 (April 17, 2010) – I know people don’t like to leave their pets alone at home. But is this really any better? If you are heading out for a meal at the pub, do you really think your dog wants to sit in an enclosed space and wonder if you are going to come back or not? At least at home he’d be in familiar territory waiting for you.

It’s chilly out, and a rainy day, so he’s not in any danger. But seriously, in the summer I just want to break the windows on vehicles that do this. People are simply not being kind when they take their animals and leave them in the car.

North Vancouver has a bylaw that states “No person may cause an animal to be confined in an enclosed space, including a car, without adequate ventilation.” Unfortunately, people think cracking a window equals adequate ventilation. The problem is, that in a very short period of time temperatures can be punishingly hot within the confines of a car. Many dogs die of hyperthermia from being left in parked cars. Contrary to what most people believe, dogs overheat more quickly than humans do. They wear their fur coat all year long and they do not sweat. They cool their bodies by panting, or blowing out heat, which is much less effective than sweating. They also release heat through their paws, that’s why they go stand in water puddles when they are hot. Their blood flows through a counter current heat exchanger that is very effective in their feet. On summer days the air and upholstery in your vehicle can heat up to high temperatures that make it impossible for pets to cool themselves.

Even if you are comfortable, your dog may be too hot! The temperature in a parked car, even in the shade with the windows partly open, can rapidly reach a level that will seriously harm or even kill your furry friend.

He can live without you for a few hours. And if you are traveling and have no choice, then put the leash on and take him with you, or leash him inside the vehicle and open the windows completely…or something! But don’t just crack the windows an inch and think it’s OK. It’s not.