Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/supermarket-watching-parkin-lot-for-pets-in-cars/

By this time, we have all heard how dangerous it is to leave a dog or cat locked in a parked car, especially when the weather is hot.

Although that is the case, we still hear reports about animals that have died because people choose to ignore that warning.

When you stop to think about how hot it has been recently, with record-setting temperatures affecting many parts of the world, the importance of keeping our furry friends safe is even more important.

In an effort to stop this from happening to any pets on the Tesco property, the staff will be patrolling the parking lot to look for dogs that have been left in the car alone.

Birmingham Live reported on the initiative, as patrols started to take place on July 19.

Tesco is working hand in hand with the RSCPA and specific training is being given to workers so they can look for the right signs.

According to Birmingham Live, a Tesco spokesperson said: “We’re working with the RSPCA and all of our colleagues in store have received training to ensure animal welfare is protected. Our colleagues regularly patrol our car parks and are given guidance on what to do if they spot a dog unattended in a car.”

A warning was recently issued from the RSPCA about the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars. Any temperature above 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20C) poses a risk to dogs, as the temperature in the vehicles can be much higher. Heatstroke is a significant problem under these conditions and dogs have as low as a 50% chance of surviving.

The warning from the SSPCA reads as follows: “It may seem like stating the obvious, but never leave your dog in a hot car. We typically get over 1,000 calls a year about animals being left in hot cars, so it’s still a serious issue in Scotland. During warm weather, we usually see a surge in calls to our animal helpline about dogs being left in hot vehicles.”

The warning went on to point out that it doesn’t matter if the dog is only in the car for a few minutes or for several hours, it could lead to serious problems. Those issues not only affect the health of the dog, but people can also face legal problems when a dog dies as a result of the problem.

While we appreciate the efforts that Tesco is putting forth in protecting dogs, the owners of those pets have a serious responsibility of keeping their animals safe.

Do not leave your dog in a hot car; it’s that simple.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog