Essex Canadian Tire saving pets from sweltering vehicles

Officials from the Canadian Tire in Essex haveadopted a pet-friendly policy that allows animals in the storein an effort to keep them from sitting in hot vehicles during the warmsummer months.

"This just made sense," said Tim Ribchester, general manager of the store. "We have a lot of customers that have dogs and pets and it is something the community dictated we do."

• Don't leave pets in hot cars, OPP warns
• 19 dogs trapped in hot cars in last 2 days:OSPCA

Although Canadian Tire is a franchise, each store is individually owned and it's up to management to decide whether or not they will exercise the pet-friendly policy. The only other Canadian Tire in the area that allows pets in the store is located on Walker Road.

Some customers have concerns

Essex resident Mackenzie McGowan was in the store Wednesday with her dogKapone.

"I think it is a really great idea. Pet owners never know how long they are going to be inside stores, so it is better the dogs can come inside instead of being in the hot car," she said. "I don't think people would want to be in a hot car on a summer day."

Some people had reservations about the policy.Annette Messier doesn't like to leavepets in hot cars, but she also worries customers in the store might be scared of some pets.

"If you have a large dog, it might be kind of scary for some people who are afraid of dogs," she said.

Ribchesterand his staff are asking customers to keep their dog on a leash and to be mindful of others. So far, he says, there have been no issues.

The Windsor-Essex Humane Society supports the policy. Executive director Melanie Coulter says more stores should consider letting pets in.

"There are a lot of pet loversthat like to have their pet travel with them, go out with them in the summer," she said. "If they know they can go to a store where they can bring their pet in with them, they are more likely to stop in and stay longer."