Treasure Valley's rising temperatures create a deadly risk for dogs in hot cars

The Treasure Valley’s high temperatures pose a deadly risk for dogs left in parked cars.

The Idaho Humane Society urges residents to act if they see a distressed animal as they continue to respond to an alarming number of calls — from March 20 to July 2 alone, the Idaho Humane Society received 141 calls to rescue dogs suffering from overheating inside vehicles. These incidents have involved not only dogs but also cats and even one parrot.

Humane Officer Woods has been on the front lines, responding to numerous incidents of animals left in dangerously hot cars. Recently, she intervened when three small dogs were trapped inside a pickup truck on a 95-degree day, with the windows cracked only an inch.

“The dogs showed severe signs of heat distress, including heavy panting, elongated tongues, thick drool, and dark purple mucous membranes,” Woods said. “Using a digital thermometer, I measured the cabin temperature at over 107 degrees. The caller, who remained at the scene, estimated the dogs had been inside for at least 45 minutes.”

Unable to unlock the truck, Woods requested police assistance.

“After confirming no contact number from the license plate, officers broke the driver’s-side window to remove the dogs,” she said. “I immediately assessed their temperatures, which were elevated. I started cooling them down with water on their paws, placed them on cooling mats, offered water to drink, and placed them in an air-conditioned environment.”

The dogs’ conditions stabilized by the time they reached the shelter thanks to the prompt intervention.

“It’s crucial never to leave pets in a parked car, even for a short time, due to the rapid temperature rise that can lead to irreversible damage or death,” Idaho Humane Society spokesperson Kristine Schellhaas said. “The Idaho Humane Society begins responding to calls at 72-degrees-or-warmer temperatures. Pet owners should always ensure their pets have access to water and a cool environment to prevent heat-induced health issues.”

After an animal is removed from an overheated vehicle, it is taken to a shelter, where all dog owners are educated about the dangers of leaving pets in hot cars.

Temperatures in Boise have soared over 100 degrees eight times in July and are forecasted to clear the benchmark each day through Thursday — including potentially record-breaking highs of 106, 107 and 108 — according to the National Weather Service.

Upon retrieving their animal from the shelter, owners must pay fees for boarding, vaccinations (if needed), and city licensing (if unlicensed). If a citation is issued, it’s a misdemeanor, and may include a fine of up to $1,000 and up to a year of jail time. Seven citations were issued in June.

The Humane Society urges anyone witnessing a distressed animal in a vehicle to call animal control dispatch immediately at 208-342-3166.