With Western Australia’s summer temperatures soaring, leaving a dog in a parked car can be deadly—even for just a few minutes. Heat can build up incredibly quickly, turning a seemingly safe situation into a life-threatening emergency.

Why It’s So Dangerous

Even on a mild 29°C day, studies by Victoria’s Metropolitan Ambulance Service show just how fast a car can become lethal:

• Within 10 minutes, a car’s interior temperature can rise to 44°C.
• In 20 minutes, it can reach over 60°C, which is far beyond what a dog’s body can safely handle.

Dogs rely on panting and sweating through their paws to cool down. In a hot car, these mechanisms are overwhelmed within minutes. The result can be rapid organ failure, brain damage, and death.

Here’s what happens inside the dog’s body during heat stress:

    1. Cooling mechanisms kick in (~2 minutes)

• Panting and drooling start
• Blood vessels dilate to release heat

      2. Blood pressure is affected (~5 minutes)

• Heart works harder to supply blood to dilated vessels
• Blood pools in organs, causing pressure drops

      3. Organs begin to suffer damage (~8 minutes)

• Kidneys, intestines, and stomach cells start to fail
• Blood clots form, affecting the brain and other organs

      4. After the body reaches ~43°C

• Irreversible brain damage occurs
• Seizures, coma, and death are likely

What You Should Do if You Find a Dog in a Hot Car

If you see a dog locked in a car on a hot day, act quickly—but safely.

      1. Assess the situation

• Note the car’s make, model, colour, and license plate.
• Check if the dog shows signs of distress (excessive panting, drooling, lethargy).

2. Call for help

• Contact 000 if the dog appears in immediate danger.
• Contact RSPCA WA: 1300 278 358.
• Call RAC WA Roadside Assitance: 13 17 03

      3.Take action if safe and necessary

• If authorities advise, and it’s safe to do so, you may be allowed to attempt to free the dog.
• Ensure your own safety and avoid damaging property unless it’s an emergency life-or-death situation.

      4. Cool the dog safely

• Move the dog to a shaded area immediately.
• Offer cool water—but don’t force it.
• Apply cool (not ice-cold) water to the dog’s body or wrap them in a damp towel.
• Seek veterinary attention immediately—even if the dog appears fine, as heatstroke can cause delayed damage.

Prevention is Key

• Never leave dogs unattended in cars, even for a few minutes.
• Avoid outdoor waiting in hot cars, including during errands or while filling up fuel.
• Be vigilant in parking areas, especially shopping centres and beaches in summer.

Your quick action could save a life. Heatstroke in dogs can happen faster than you think—but prevention, awareness, and rapid response can make all the difference.