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No Hot Pets campaign launched

The nationwide campaign encourages people to learn the importance of not leaving a pet in a hot car.
no hot pets
A Pet Smart employee posts the campaign sign outide of the store. (Michael Charlebois, tbnewswatch)

THUNDER BAY -- As the days get warmer the emphasis on leaving a dog in a car is getting more vocal, according to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The 2018 Dogs in Hot Cars Blitz started on Friday, and OSPCA officer Jeremy Gardiner was outside the Pet Smart on Memorial Avenue to look for any dogs that may have been at risk.

“We’re trying to raise awareness about how unsafe it is to leave you pet in a vehicle, and how we’ve developed a zero tolerance policy,” Gardiner said.

Gardiner said a dog’s normal body temperature is about 39C, and a three degree jump can cause irreparable brain damage to a dog.

“That jump can happen within a few minutes,” he said.

Businesses with a “No Excuses, No Hot Pets” sign outside their store will allow pets inside for those who have their dogs in the car on a hot day.

Gardiner is encouraging people to find other arrangements if their dog is in the car.

“If you care for your pet, just leave it at home. It’s safer at home,” he said.

Businesses are encouraged to sign up for the initiative by visiting nohotpets.ca.


Michael Charlebois

About the Author: Michael Charlebois

Michael Charlebois was born and raised in Thunder Bay, where he attended St. Patrick High School and graduated in 2015. He attends Carleton University in Ottawa where he studies journalism.
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