Distressing Spot Shows Why You Should Never Leave Pets in Hot Cars

Every summer, pets are injured or killed when left unattended in hot cars. To remind Swedes that no pets should be left in hot cars, Arken Zoo, the nation’s largest pet store chain, introduces the Heatstriker. Supported by Swedish law, this innovative tool assists in the safe breaking of car windows, to rescue pets in distress. The campaign is created and executed by BCW Sweden.

For an animal trapped in a parked car, high temperatures can quickly lead to overheating, and in the worst case, life-threatening instances of heatstroke or even death. With record high temperatures expected in Sweden this summer, owners need to be extra cautious when travelling with their pets. 

In response to this, Arken Zoo – Sweden’s largest pet store chain – has created the Heatstriker. The first innovation of its kind to combine an emergency hammer with a water container, the Heatstriker allows quick and safe rescue of a trapped pet as well as access to drinking water, which is essential if an animal is overheated or suffering from a heatstroke. 

Supported by Swedish law, the Heatstriker can be used to smash the car window if an animal’s health or life is in danger. The relevant legal clause and educational information about dangerous temperatures are printed on the bottle itself, while the packaging displays the steps users need to take before using the Heatstriker. However, the main purpose of the Heatstriker is to serve as a powerful reminder to never leave pets in a hot car.

Sarah Frelin Ekvall, head of marketing at Arken Zoo says: “As we are expecting a record hot summer, it is of utmost importance that no pets are left in hot cars. The Heatstriker provides an opportunity to act in an emergency by smashing the car window safely in order to save a life, as supported by law." 

“Essentially, we hope that the Heatstriker will never be required, and instead serve as an important reminder that cars are for transportation only, never to leave a pet in a locked, hot car, not even for a ‘quick, few minutes’”, Sarah Frelin Ekvall continues.

This summer, Heatstrikers are placed on public parking lots across Sweden, to spread the message and be ready to be used in an emergency situation. They are also sold in selected Arken Zoo stores. The campaign also includes an online film (link to US- or UK-version), in-store print ads, newsletters, influencer collaborations, social media ads, PR-activation and more.