Škoda ads warn about heat danger posed to dogs

“Never leave your dog in a hot car.” That’s the message from a new Škoda campaign created by Boys+Girls and media agency PHD. A car heats up like an oven and, in exceptional hot conditions such as those we’re experiencing now, can kill a dog in just 15 minutes. So, the advice to dog owners is simple – never leave your dog in a hot car.

It is the premise behind a new pet safety campaign now live across print, radio and social. The new campaign addresses one of the under-reported aspects of the intense heat – the dangers posed to dogs. Even if it’s 22°c outside, inside a car can reach up to 47°c within an hour. Dogs are unable to perspire like humans, they keep cool orally.

Laurence O’Byrne, creative director, Boys+Girls, said advertising at its best is when it helps to change behaviour and that is what a campaign like this has the power to do. “As a dog-loving country we’re not used to the current levels of intense heat, so we need to be aware of its impact our beloved pets and react accordingly,” O’Byrne added.

Campaign Credits

Client: ŠKODA Ireland

Agency: Boys + Girls

Executive creative director: Rory Hamilton

Creative director: Laurence O’Byrne

Art director: Mikey Fleming

Copywriter: Sam Moorhead

Head of planning: Margaret Gilsenan

Business director: Sarah Sherry

Senior account manager: Sorcha Brady

Account executive: Eimear O’Sullivan

Producer: Sarah Chadwick