Hot Cars Can Be Deadly For Pets As Summer Heat Bites

As summer temperatures soar across the Hinchinbrook Shire, local pet owners are being urged to think twice before leaving animals in cars or on the back of utes, even for just a few minutes.

Most people know the discomfort of climbing into a car that has been sitting in the sun — scorching seatbelts, burning steering wheels and stifling heat. For pets, particularly dogs, those conditions can quickly become fatal.

On a hot summer’s day, the temperature inside a parked car can climb as high as 73 degrees Celsius. Even parking in the shade or leaving windows slightly open does little to reduce the risk, and ute trays can burn pets’ footpads or bodies within minutes.

Dogs are especially vulnerable to heat stress because they do not sweat like humans. Instead, they rely on panting, drinking water and resting on cool surfaces to regulate their body temperature. In hot, enclosed spaces such as cars, these cooling methods are simply not enough.

Authorities are reminding pet owners that leaving an animal without adequate water and shelter may constitute an offence under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.

Providing ample shade, multiple water sources, ice cubes in drinking bowls, frozen dog treats and access to a shallow paddle pool can help pets cope with extreme heat.

Pets should never be tethered in the sun, as even 20 minutes tied up without shade can cause panic and rapid overheating.

If a pet is found in a hot car, immediate action is critical. Members of the public are urged to call 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625), contact police on 000 in an emergency, or notify centre management if the vehicle is in a car park. People are advised not to break vehicle windows, as police have the authority to enter vehicles safely and breaking glass can place both the rescuer and the animal at risk.

As temperatures continue to rise, authorities are urging Queenslanders to remember a simple rule: if it’s too hot for you, it’s far too hot for your pet.