This is What We Need to Do Now if You Leave Your Pet in the Vehicle

I think, at least I hope we all know that when it's hot out, you need to leave your pet at home.  It gets so hot in the vehicle, and much warmer than it feels outside.  It's something that we all have top of mind when it's summer and you see a pet in the car.  I usually try to give the owner the benefit of the doubt if I see this, and hope that the owner has just run into the store, or wherever to do something quick.  Maybe they just came from a vet appointment.  Maybe they just picked up their pet from a groomer or from the dog park.  Whatever the reason, I try to not react so quickly without all of the facts.  It's like calling DCFS prematurely.  And it turns into a huge mess.

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A WORLD OF SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING

If you see something, at least look at the pet.  Do they seem happy, friendly, doing ok?  Keep an eye on the vehicle and watch to see when the owner comes out of wherever they are at the moment.

IS WINTER AS BAD AS SUMMER

I feel like most people are not quite as freaked out about pets left in a cold car compared to a warm/hot car.  There was a little pup in the vehicle standing there with a sign that said "my owner will be back shortly" with a temperature guage that said it was 68 degrees in the vehicle.  Apparently that is what we need to do in order to make people not call some sort of protection service against the owner of the pet.

MAYBE A PERMANENT DIGITAL SIGN WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA

In the winter, if I have ever had my dog along with me, which is rare, I always make sure he has a blanket, and that I'm not gone more than 10 or 15 minutes.  I will even leave the car running, and lock the door and windows so that I know they are safe.  But maybe this sign thing is the way to go.  I saw it and thought about it.  What a great idea.  Cars should all be equipped with a digital sign like this.  Or at least it could be an option.