Available on

Navigation

Location

101-2032 Columbia Avenue
Castlegar, BC, V1N 2W7

Phone numbers

Studio: 250-365-6100 OR 1-877-560-1010
Office Phone: 250-365-7600
Office Fax: 250-365-8480

- Advertisement -

© 2025

Sample Page Title

With summer weather arriving across the province, the BC SPCA is urging the public to remember the risks associated with leaving pets in vehicles on hot days.

“People underestimate how rapidly a vehicle can heat up to dangerous levels, putting animals at risk of fatal consequences,” said BC SPCA Senior Officer of Protection Eileen Drever.

We also tend to miscalculate how long we’ll be away from our cars. We think we’re just running into the store for one item, but the line ups are long, we stop to chat with an acquaintance, and five minutes turns into half an hour or more while your pet suffers in the heat.”

According to the BC SPCA, even a few minutes can be life-threatening for animals.

Drever added that while leaving the air conditioning on or the windows down may seem like a good option, it’s not a reliable solution.

If the air conditioning fails, your pet could still be in danger,” she said.

“At the end of the day,it’s best to simply leave your dog at home where there’s more space, water and shade.”

Last year, the BC SPCA’s Animal Helpline received 841 calls about animals in hot cars, and so far this year, they’ve already received 164 calls.

According to the BC SPCA, the following steps should be made if you have concerns about an animal sitting in a potentially hot car:

  • Take note of the license plate, vehicle colour, make and model and connect with nearby businesses to have the animal owner paged to return to their vehicle immediately
  • If the animal is showing signs of distress (exaggerated panting or no panting at all, salivating, an anxious or staring expression, muscle tremors or lack of coordination, convulsions, vomiting, collapse), call your local animal control agency, police department or RCMP, or the BC SPCA Animal Helpline at1-855-622-7722 as soon as possible
  • Remember to relay location information of the car including city, address and landmarks, especially if the vehicle is in a busy parking lot

The BC SPCA also said there are some things that you should not do:

  • Don’t ignore an animal in distress. We understand life is busy, but at the very least, pass along the information to a nearby business or authority
  • Do NOT break the window
  • Do NOT confront the animal owner.
  • Don’t force water into the animal

Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyKootenayNowNews Alerts.

John White
John White
John is the Director of News for Vista Radio. He has more than 32 years of experience in journalism, with an early eye cast to digital news innovations. He attends the Online News Association conference every year to learn about the cutting edge opportunities for his team to adopt and adapt.

Continue Reading

cjat Now playing play

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Laura Secord, Nutriart chocolate recalled for undeclared peanut

Recalls have been issued for several chocolate products sold in British Columbia and other provinces, due to an undeclared peanut.

Laura Secord, Nutriart chocolate recalled for undeclared peanut

Recalls have been issued for several chocolate products sold in British Columbia and other provinces, due to an undeclared peanut.

Canada, B.C. boost program covering losses for farmers

The federal and B.C. governments are making changes this year to a program that helps farmers manage large income losses.

Three rescued miners healthy, in good spirits after two days trapped underground

Three workers have returned to the surface after spending more than two days trapped underground at the Red Chris mine in northwestern B.C.

Caspian is this weeks Pet of the Week!

Say hello to little Caspian, this weeks Summit Radio Pet of the Week with the BCSPCA in Castlegar!
- Advertisement -

Sample Page Title

- Advertisement -

Laura Secord, Nutriart chocolate recalled for undeclared peanut

Recalls have been issued for several chocolate products sold in British Columbia and other provinces, due to an undeclared peanut.

Laura Secord, Nutriart chocolate recalled for undeclared peanut

Recalls have been issued for several chocolate products sold in British Columbia and other provinces, due to an undeclared peanut.

Canada, B.C. boost program covering losses for farmers

The federal and B.C. governments are making changes this year to a program that helps farmers manage large income losses.

Three rescued miners healthy, in good spirits after two days trapped underground

Three workers have returned to the surface after spending more than two days trapped underground at the Red Chris mine in northwestern B.C.

Caspian is this weeks Pet of the Week!

Say hello to little Caspian, this weeks Summit Radio Pet of the Week with the BCSPCA in Castlegar!

Green Gables water reservoir flushing planned for Waneta

The City of Trail Water Treatment Plant crews will be flushing hydrants, as well as chlorinating the Green Gables Reservoir water system, starting Monday.

Blue Barn and KAAP team up for our furry friends

Kootenay Animal Assistance Program Society and Castlegar’s Blue Barn pet store are teaming up to raise funds and awareness on your pet’s care in an effort to control pet populations, as well as find new homes for some furry friends.

No timeline for rescue of three trapped workers at northwest B.C. mine

It’s unclear how long the rescue operation will take for three workers who have been trapped underground at a northwest B.C. mine since Tuesday morning.

Ground breaks on outdoor basketball court at Millennium Park and Ponds

After a year and a half of planning, ground has officially been broken on a new outdoor basketball court at Castlegar’s Millennium Park and Ponds. 

Trail recreation fees increasing in September

Recreation fees in Trail are set to increase by three per cent starting in September. 

B.C. special investigators on scene after three found dead in Maple Ridge

B.C.’s police watchdog is investigating an incident in Maple Ridge that left three people dead Wednesday night.

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Sample Page Title

Sample author description

Author Archive

Laura Secord, Nutriart chocolate recalled for undeclared peanut

Recalls have been issued for several chocolate products sold in British Columbia and other provinces, due to an undeclared peanut.

Laura Secord, Nutriart chocolate recalled for undeclared peanut

Recalls have been issued for several chocolate products sold in British Columbia and other provinces, due to an undeclared peanut.

Canada, B.C. boost program covering losses for farmers

The federal and B.C. governments are making changes this year to a program that helps farmers manage large income losses.

Three rescued miners healthy, in good spirits after two days trapped underground

Three workers have returned to the surface after spending more than two days trapped underground at the Red Chris mine in northwestern B.C.

Caspian is this weeks Pet of the Week!

Say hello to little Caspian, this weeks Summit Radio Pet of the Week with the BCSPCA in Castlegar!

Green Gables water reservoir flushing planned for Waneta

The City of Trail Water Treatment Plant crews will be flushing hydrants, as well as chlorinating the Green Gables Reservoir water system, starting Monday.

Blue Barn and KAAP team up for our furry friends

Kootenay Animal Assistance Program Society and Castlegar’s Blue Barn pet store are teaming up to raise funds and awareness on your pet’s care in an effort to control pet populations, as well as find new homes for some furry friends.

No timeline for rescue of three trapped workers at northwest B.C. mine

It’s unclear how long the rescue operation will take for three workers who have been trapped underground at a northwest B.C. mine since Tuesday morning.

Ground breaks on outdoor basketball court at Millennium Park and Ponds

After a year and a half of planning, ground has officially been broken on a new outdoor basketball court at Castlegar’s Millennium Park and Ponds. 

Trail recreation fees increasing in September

Recreation fees in Trail are set to increase by three per cent starting in September. 

B.C. special investigators on scene after three found dead in Maple Ridge

B.C.’s police watchdog is investigating an incident in Maple Ridge that left three people dead Wednesday night.

B.C. moves freshwater fishing licence sales to WILD platform

Anglers in British Columbia will soon be able to purchase freshwater fishing licences through the same online platform used by the province for hunting licences.

Rescuers working to re-establish communication with three trapped miners in northwest B.C.

Rescuers are working to re-establish communication with three workers trapped underground at a mine in northwestern B.C.

$5.8 million in energy upgrades for affordable housing in the Kootenays

Affordable rental housing across the Kootenays will benefit from over $5.8 million in clean energy upgrades thanks to the Columbia Basin Trust.

Woman caught in crypto scam

A 61-year-old Trail woman has lost $37k in an elaborate online cryptocurrency fraud.

Trail Regional Airport hikes parking fees

Parking at the Trail Regional Airport just became more expensive. 

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Laura Secord, Nutriart chocolate recalled for undeclared peanut

Recalls have been issued for several chocolate products sold in British Columbia and other provinces, due to an undeclared peanut.

Laura Secord, Nutriart chocolate recalled for undeclared peanut

Recalls have been issued for several chocolate products sold in British Columbia and other provinces, due to an undeclared peanut.

Canada, B.C. boost program covering losses for farmers

The federal and B.C. governments are making changes this year to a program that helps farmers manage large income losses.

Three rescued miners healthy, in good spirits after two days trapped underground

Three workers have returned to the surface after spending more than two days trapped underground at the Red Chris mine in northwestern B.C.

Caspian is this weeks Pet of the Week!

Say hello to little Caspian, this weeks Summit Radio Pet of the Week with the BCSPCA in Castlegar!
- Advertisement -

Search results for: Sample Page Title

Laura Secord, Nutriart chocolate recalled for undeclared peanut

Recalls have been issued for several chocolate products sold in British Columbia and other provinces, due to an undeclared peanut.

Laura Secord, Nutriart chocolate recalled for undeclared peanut

Recalls have been issued for several chocolate products sold in British Columbia and other provinces, due to an undeclared peanut.

Canada, B.C. boost program covering losses for farmers

The federal and B.C. governments are making changes this year to a program that helps farmers manage large income losses.

Three rescued miners healthy, in good spirits after two days trapped underground

Three workers have returned to the surface after spending more than two days trapped underground at the Red Chris mine in northwestern B.C.

Caspian is this weeks Pet of the Week!

Say hello to little Caspian, this weeks Summit Radio Pet of the Week with the BCSPCA in Castlegar!

Green Gables water reservoir flushing planned for Waneta

The City of Trail Water Treatment Plant crews will be flushing hydrants, as well as chlorinating the Green Gables Reservoir water system, starting Monday.

Blue Barn and KAAP team up for our furry friends

Kootenay Animal Assistance Program Society and Castlegar’s Blue Barn pet store are teaming up to raise funds and awareness on your pet’s care in an effort to control pet populations, as well as find new homes for some furry friends.

No timeline for rescue of three trapped workers at northwest B.C. mine

It’s unclear how long the rescue operation will take for three workers who have been trapped underground at a northwest B.C. mine since Tuesday morning.

Ground breaks on outdoor basketball court at Millennium Park and Ponds

After a year and a half of planning, ground has officially been broken on a new outdoor basketball court at Castlegar’s Millennium Park and Ponds. 

Trail recreation fees increasing in September

Recreation fees in Trail are set to increase by three per cent starting in September. 

B.C. special investigators on scene after three found dead in Maple Ridge

B.C.’s police watchdog is investigating an incident in Maple Ridge that left three people dead Wednesday night.

B.C. moves freshwater fishing licence sales to WILD platform

Anglers in British Columbia will soon be able to purchase freshwater fishing licences through the same online platform used by the province for hunting licences.

Rescuers working to re-establish communication with three trapped miners in northwest B.C.

Rescuers are working to re-establish communication with three workers trapped underground at a mine in northwestern B.C.

$5.8 million in energy upgrades for affordable housing in the Kootenays

Affordable rental housing across the Kootenays will benefit from over $5.8 million in clean energy upgrades thanks to the Columbia Basin Trust.

Woman caught in crypto scam

A 61-year-old Trail woman has lost $37k in an elaborate online cryptocurrency fraud.

Trail Regional Airport hikes parking fees

Parking at the Trail Regional Airport just became more expensive. 

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Laura Secord, Nutriart chocolate recalled for undeclared peanut

Recalls have been issued for several chocolate products sold in British Columbia and other provinces, due to an undeclared peanut.

Laura Secord, Nutriart chocolate recalled for undeclared peanut

Recalls have been issued for several chocolate products sold in British Columbia and other provinces, due to an undeclared peanut.

Canada, B.C. boost program covering losses for farmers

The federal and B.C. governments are making changes this year to a program that helps farmers manage large income losses.

Three rescued miners healthy, in good spirits after two days trapped underground

Three workers have returned to the surface after spending more than two days trapped underground at the Red Chris mine in northwestern B.C.

Caspian is this weeks Pet of the Week!

Say hello to little Caspian, this weeks Summit Radio Pet of the Week with the BCSPCA in Castlegar!
- Advertisement -