The BC SPCA is encourage people in Northeast B.C. to avoid leaving pets inside vehicles as warmer weather moves into the Peace Region.
Environment Canada is calling for summer-like temperatures this weekend, with Dawson Creek expected to reach 25 degrees on both Saturday and Sunday, and Fort St. John forecast to reach 24 degrees Saturday and 25 degrees Sunday.
In a statement, BC SPCA’s senior officer Eileen Drever said even mild outdoor temperatures can cause the inside of a parked vehicle to heat up rapidly and reach dangerous levels for animals.
“People underestimate how quickly a vehicle can heat up to dangerous levels,” said Drever.
“Even just running a quick errand can have a devastating outcome.”
The organization said temperatures inside a car parked in direct sunlight can rise dramatically within minutes, putting pets at risk of heatstroke or death.
It also warns that measures such as cracking windows, parking in shaded areas or leaving the air conditioning running are not reliable ways to keep animals safe.
The BC SPCA said it opened 607 animal protection files related to pets left in hot vehicles in 2025. So far in 2026, 143 cases have already been reported, with numbers expected to climb as temperatures increase.
Anyone who sees an animal in distress inside a vehicle is being asked to contact local authorities or the BC SPCA Animal Helpline, rather than intervening directly.
The organization says the safest option is to leave pets at home during warm weather as summer conditions take hold across the region.
