Animal Control reminds pet owners of the dangers of hot cars
Published on July 12, 2024
Pets and hot cars don’t mix, and the Cheyenne and Laramie County Animal Control Division is reminding residents and visitors that not only can leaving pets in hot parked vehicles be dangerous for the animal, owners can be cited for doing so.
Animal Control conducts frequent wellness checks for animals left in hot vehicles every summer, especially during Cheyenne Frontier Days. Pet owners often leave their pets in hot vehicles in the parking lots of shopping centers, grocery stores, restaurants, and gyms.
“Every summer during Cheyenne Frontier Days, a pet is seized from a hot vehicle outside the venue on the neighborhood blocks nearby,” said Officer Nguyen with Animal Control. “Please, plan ahead! Find a pet sitter or have them boarded at an animal boarding facility.”
For dogs, the most common cause of hyperthermia (heat stroke) is leaving the dog in a car with inadequate ventilation. Their body temperature in this situation can elevate rapidly, often within minutes. Dogs with a restricted airway such as pugs, boxers, and bulldogs are at greater risk.
Signs of hyperthermia in dogs include:
- Panting
- Shortness of breath
- Drooling
- Weakness
- Disorientation
- Lethargy
- Collapse
- Muscle tremors
- Dark red gums
- Seizures
- Vomiting
Although the majority of Animal Control’s wellness checks for animals in hot vehicles are dogs, the division occasionally receives calls about cats in hot vehicles as well. Cats are generally good at hiding signs that they are feeling unwell, so it may be difficult to spot a heat-related illness.
Signs of hyperthermia in cats include:
- Restlessness
- Panting
- Constant grooming
- Red or purple gums
- Sweaty feet
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Staggering
To contact Animal Control, call 307-637-6206. To learn more about the division, visit https://www.cheyennecity.org/animalcontrol.