Keep pets out of cars when the weather heats up, OSPCA says

Morning North7:55Don't leave your pets in the car

It takes just a few minutes for a car to heat up to temperatures that are life-threatening to your pet in the summer. The SPCA has launched a social media campaign to bring that message home. Inspector Tracy Lapping joined us to talk about the problem.A Sudbury inspector with the Ontario SPCA is reminding people that it is never safe to leave a pet in a hot car unattended.

Inspector Tracy Lapping said there are serious consequences to leaving an animal in a hot vehicle.

"[A] safe rule of thumb [is to] leave them at home, and leave them where it's cool," she said.

"That way you are protecting yourself as well, because an animal being exposed to harmful temperatures is an offence in the province of Ontario."

A person found guilty of the offence could be fined up to $60,000, and sentenced up to two years in jail.

Lapping noted people often underestimate the danger involved when a pet overheats.

"Even on a cloudy day, or an overcast day, a vehicle can get very warm, very quickly with the windows down a crack," she said.

"It's not acceptable for the animal to be there."

Animal lovers can spread the word by going to the Ontario SPCA's website and educating themselves.

They can also sign a pledge sheet not to leave their pets in hot vehicles, and to use the hashtag #nohotpets on Twitter.