- News and Events
- FAQ
- How do I find my missing pet?
- Is it against the law for my dog to bark?
- Can I adopt a pet from WCRAS?
- What happens with my pet's rabies information?
- How much does it cost to get my pet out of the shelter?
- What happens if a pet is not claimed by its owner?
- Is there a leash law in Washoe County?
- Where can I take my dog off leash to run?
- Can I have livestock or chickens in the city limits?
- What can I do about my neighbor's dog that is always loose?
- Does WCRAS euthanize animals upon request of the owner?
- At what temperature is it ok to leave my pet in the car?
- Someone gave me their pet and it is microchipped. How do I transfer ownership?
- Do I need to leash my dog on BLM land?
- How many pets can a person have?
- What can I do about the smell of feces from my neighbor’s yard?
- What can I do about all the feral cats living in my neighborhood?
- Is it ok to tether a dog up outside? If so, for how long?
- What happens when a dog or cat bites someone?
- What is Quarantine?
- What happens if a wild animal bites a person or a pet?
- What is the difference between a dog license and the tag I get at the vet or elsewhere?
- Why do I need a license for my dog?
- What is a microchip and how do they work?
- Can I get my pet spayed/neutered at WCRAS?
- What is Parvo and how do I prevent my dog from getting it?
- I don’t have money and my animal is sick, what can WCRAS do for me?
- Can you come pick up my pet?
- What can I do about local wildlife?
- What can I do about pigeons roosting and defecating on my property?
- Can WCRAS help with wild horse issues?
- I can’t get through to the Nevada Humane Society/SPCA, can WCRAS help me?
- How can I contact someone from WCRAS?
- Can I bury my deceased pet on my property?
- How do I update information for my licensed/microchipped pet?
- How do I license my dog?
- How do I submit a picture of my pet for the license or microchip?
- Can I register my pet's microchip with WCRAS?
- My dog never leaves the house. Do I still need to license?
- Does my cat need to be licensed?
- Does Washoe County require my service dog to be licensed?
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At what temperature is it ok to leave my pet in the car?
In accordance with NRS 202.487 "a person shall not allow a pet to remain unattended in a parked or standing motor vehicle if conditions, including, without limitation, extreme heat or cold, present a significant risk to the health and safety of the pet."
Washoe County Code 55.190 Endangering Animals states that it is unlawful for any person to hold or confine an animal in a pen, house, car, truck, trailer or any other place without a sufficient supply of good and wholesome air, water, food and necessary veterinary care.
According to the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) the temperature inside a vehicle can rise 20⁰ F in 10 minutes, and up to 40⁰ F within an hour. It has also been shown that cracking a window a few inches has little effect on the temperature inside of your vehicle when it is not in motion. A study performed by the Louisiana Office of Public Health found that the temperatures in a dark sedan as well as a light colored mini van parked out in a hot but overcast day still raised from 96⁰F to 125⁰F in just 20 minutes.
It would be advised to never leave an animal in a vehicle unattended in temperatures over 60⁰F and to always have water and proper air circulation for your pet. Help spread the word.