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To help investigate cases of pets left in hot vehicle, Eugene Police has added digital thermometers for 50 of our patrol vehicles (both for sworn officers and sworn supervisors). This was made possible through the City of Eugene’s Risk Services program.

With temperatures starting to get warmer, it’s time to remind pet owners about just how fast the temperature in a vehicle can heat up. Please take additional precautions to keep your pets safe.  Do not leave animals in a car as they are at risk of experiencing heatstroke, which can be deadly in a short amount of time. It may approach 80 degrees today and in 20 minutes the vehicle can heat up to 109 degrees, even with windows slightly open.

Animals can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water and make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun. We recommend keeping them indoors when it is extremely hot and limiting their activity outdoors, especially on pavement.

Excessive panting and indications of discomfort are signs of heatstroke. If you believe your animal is experiencing heatstroke contact your veterinarian immediately. 

People should feel free to call 911 immediately anytime they see a pet in distress or an unresponsive state even prior to locating an owner.  In some cases it may be difficult to locate the responsible party putting that pet in further danger. 

Here is an example of how quickly a vehicle heats up:

·      Leave pets at home when running errands.  Leaving your animal in a parked car, even for just a few minutes, can easily cause heat stroke or brain damage.  On an 85-degree day, a car's interior temperature can climb to 104 degrees in 10 minutes, even with the windows slightly open.  Dogs are especially vulnerable to heat stress because they do not sweat in the way that humans do; they release body heat by panting.

·      Dogs should not ride in uncovered pickup truck beds.  The hot metal truck bed can burn your pet’s paw pads. 

·      Keep pets inside during the heat of the day; do not leave them outside unattended.

·      Make sure pets have access to water bowls full of cool, fresh water.

·      When pets are outside, be sure to provide shaded areas for them to rest in and invest in a misting hose or kiddie pool for a cool place for your pets to play.

·      Limit or skip on exercise and time at the dog park during the heat of the day.

·      Always test the pavement or sand with your hand before setting out (too hot to touch is too hot for your pet), walk early in the morning or late at night when it’s cooler, carry water and take frequent breaks in shady spots.  If you suspect your pet’s paws have been burned, contact your vet immediately.

Heatstroke symptoms can include: restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, vomiting, and lack of coordination.  If your animal is overcome by heat exhaustion, consult your veterinarian right away.  If you notice an animal in distress or unresponsive in a parked car, first try and locate the pet’s owner and alert him or her to the animal’s condition.  If you cannot find the animal’s owner, call 911.