Macerich Installs ‘Hot Cars Kill’ Warning PSA in Malls After PETA Appeal

Mega Mall Owner Nabs Delicious Dog-Shaped Chocolates in Thanks for Its Compassionate Action

For Immediate Release:
August 9, 2017

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

After learning from PETA that already this year, at least 29 children and 39 dogs had reportedly died after being left in hot cars, retail giant Macerich acted quickly to install new digital ads in more than a dozen of its malls, from coast to coast, warning shoppers never to leave dogs or children alone in parked cars, where temperatures can soar and tragedy can strike within minutes. The ads are displayed every six minutes on screens. In thanks, PETA is sending the compassionate company a box of delectable vegan dog-shaped chocolates.

“This summer alone, PETA has mourned dozens of dogs and children who have baked to death after being left alone in parked cars,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “Macerich’s essential warning ads will no doubt save lives by reminding shoppers that hot cars can become death traps within minutes.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—notes that on a 90-degree day, interior temperatures can soar to as high as 119 degrees in 20 minutes. Dogs and children trapped inside parked cars can succumb to heatstroke within minutes, even if a car isn’t parked in direct sunlight. Dogs showing signs of heatstroke should be taken into the shade, given water to drink, cooled down with damp towels placed on their heads and chests, or immersed in tepid (not ice-cold) water. A veterinarian should be called immediately.

Macerich—which owns more than 50 malls and other retail properties across the U.S.—has previously banned circus acts that use animals at all its properties, pledged not to partner with SeaWorld again after a short-term promotion of the park at one of its malls, and stopped the sale of sensitive sugar gliders at cruel Pocket Pets kiosks.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.