As temperatures rise, it is crucial for our awareness of pet safety to rise as well. Residents of Illinois are required to give their pets adequate protection from weather under the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act. This includes requiring pet owners to provide their animals protection from extreme heat or extreme cold.

So, what do you do if you see an animal in distress during a hot summer day inside a vehicle? Can you act in response to a fear of a disregard of pet safety? As an Illinois resident you are NOT allowed to take matters into your own hands and rescue an animal. However, if you are concerned with an action that jeopardizes pet safety, you may call an animal control officer, law enforcement officer, or Department investigator. Each of these officials must first try to locate the owner of the vehicle or another person responsible. If they are unable to locate anyone then they do have the authority to enter the vehicle by any reasonable means under the circumstances. [Read more…]