Washoe County Regional Animal Services (WCRAS) responds to an average of 600 calls every year related to animals being locked in hot vehicles around our region. Sadly, WCRAS responded to a dog in a hot vehicle today, but the dog died before it could be rescued.
Animal Services wants to remind pet owners how dangerous the heat in our region can be. High temperatures can cause irreparable organ damage and death to pets, in a short period of time. When the temperature outside reaches 90 degrees, a vehicle can heat up to 109 in 10 minutes.
Before a pet owner takes a pet along for a car ride, they should think about if it is really necessary or is their pet safer to be left at home. Just a few minutes, left unattended, is long enough to cause an animal to have a heat stroke and ultimately die.
What to do if you see an animal in a hot vehicle:
- Call our dispatch number 322-DOGS (3647)
- Report location, vehicle and animal description and license plate number and any status updates to Animal Services
- Then enter the business if applicable and ask that they announce a pet in a hot vehicle, with the description. Every minute counts!