Pet Warning Issued in California

Newsweek

20-05-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists are urging people in Southern California to not leave their pets unattended in vehicles as temperatures surge into triple digits on Tuesday.
Why It Matters
The NWS office in Los Angeles issued a heat advisory in place from 11 a.m. local time on Tuesday morning through 9 p.m. on Thursday evening as a heat wave brings unseasonably warm temperatures to the region.
The high temperatures come as the same region issued heat advisories earlier this month. Texas also has been facing above-average temperatures for this time of year, prompting an extreme heat warning last week when the Austin area was hotter than Death Valley, California, which is frequently referred to as the hottest place on Earth.
What to Know
Earlier this week, NWS Los Angeles warned of a mid-week heat wave that was likely to peak on Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures are expected to hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday and remain high through Thursday.
The abnormally high temperatures have prompted meteorologists to issue a reminder to pet owners that they should never leave their pets unattended in a vehicle.
A stock image of a panting dog.
A stock image of a panting dog.
eldadcarin/Getty
"Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Do not leave people or pets in closed vehicles," the advisory said.
Areas included in the advisory are Calabasas and Agoura Hills, Eastern San Fernando Valley, Eastern Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Western San Fernando Valley, Western Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Santa Clarita Valley, Southern Salinas Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Ynez Mountains Western Range, Santa Ynez Mountains Eastern Range, Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains, Lake Casitas, Ojai Valley, Central Ventura County Valleys, Los Angeles County Inland Coast including downtown Los Angeles, Southeastern Ventura County Valleys, Santa Susana Mountains, and the San Gabriel Valley.
To protect pets from hot weather, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) urges pet owners to keep an eye out for symptoms their pet might be overheating, which include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or collapse.
"Symptoms can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees," the report said.
Pet owners also should be cognizant of hot asphalt and not let their pets linger on the scalding surfaces.
NWS Los Angeles meteorologist Ryan Kittell told Newsweek that average high temperatures for this time of year vary between 70 and 83 degrees depending on the area.
"We are about 10 to 15 degrees above, with a few spots above or below that range," he said.
Kittell urged people in the heat advisory areas to limit their outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day the advisory is in place.
What People Are Saying
NWS Los Angeles in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday: "An extended period of hot weather and increased risk for large grass fires Tue-Fri away from the coast. There will be a moderate risk of heat illness, especially for sensitive individuals, those without air conditioning, and those doing outdoor activities."
The ASPCA in a report on pet safety during hot weather: "When it's hot or humid outdoors as pets can get dehydrated quickly. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful not to over-exercise them and keep them indoors when it's extremely hot."
What Happens Next
The worst of the heat wave will pass by Thursday night. However, the NWS Climate Prediction Center anticipates that there is a slight chance for above-average temperatures across much of California in the coming weeks, according to its six- to 10-day temperature outlook. The outlook is valid for May 25 to May 29.