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Every year, dogs suffer and die when their guardians make the mistake of leaving them in a parked campervan/car - even for “just a minute”—while they run an errand. Parked vehicles are death traps for dogs.
On a 20-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to between 36 and 40 degrees in just minutes, and on a 28-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 50 degrees in less than 10 minutes.
Hot Camper Vans Kill
If you see a dog alone in a hot van, take down the van’s color, model, make and license plate number. Have the owner paged in the nearest buildings or call local humane authorities or the police. Have someone keep an eye on the dog. Please don’t leave the scene until the situation has been resolved.
What to Do When You See a Dog in a Hot Van?
If the authorities are unresponsive or too slow and the dog’s life appears to be in imminent danger, find a witness (or several) who will back up your assessment, take steps to remove the suffering animal from the car, and then wait for authorities to arrive.
Watch for heatstroke symptoms such as restlessness, excessive thirst, thick saliva, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, rapid heartbeat, fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and lack of coordination.
If a dog shows any of these symptoms, get him or her out of the heat, preferably into an air-conditioned vehicle, and then to a veterinarian immediately. If you are unable to transport the dog yourself, take him or her into an air-conditioned building if possible and call animal control: Tell them it is an emergency.
Provide water to drink, and if possible, spray the dog with a garden hose or immerse him or her in a tub of cool (but not iced) water for up to two minutes to gradually lower the body temperature.
You can also place the dog in front of an electric fan. Applying cool, wet towels to the groin area, stomach, chest, and paws can also help. Be careful not to use ice or cold water, and don’t overcook the animal.
When walking your dog, keep in mind that if it feels hot enough to fry an egg outside, it probably is. When the air temperature is 28 degrees F, the asphalt can reach a sizzling 48 degrees C— more than hot enough to cook an egg in five minutes. And it can do the same to our canine companions’ sensitive footpads.
On a 30-degree C day, asphalt temperatures can reach 50 degrees, hot enough to cause burns, permanent damage, and scarring after just one minute of contact. Rapid burns and blistering can occur at 50 degrees C. Hot sidewalks, pavement, and parking lots can burn paws and reflect heat onto dogs’ bodies, increasing their risk of deadly heatstroke.
If you wouldn’t put your dog in a frying pan, please don’t make him or her walk on hot pavement. Always test the pavement with your hand before setting out (too hot to touch is too hot for Spot), walk early in the morning or late at night when it’s cooler, carry water and take frequent breaks in shady spots and never make dogs wear muzzles that restrict their breathing.