01/26/2026
It has been a full week since Rolo was taken from a parked car in Vancouver.
(For details see post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C4PoxWtwZ/).
One can only imagine the stress, sadness, and guilt his family is experiencing right now. Like many pet guardians, Rolo’s parent had likely left their dog alone in a car before, perhaps more than once. Unfortunately, it only takes one moment and one bad actor for a familiar routine to turn into a life-altering loss.
We stand with the broader pet-owning and dog-loving community in supporting this family, and we remain hopeful that Rolo will be found safe and reunited with his people. We are also grateful to see that most members of the public have resisted the urge to shame or blame the victim. Compassion matters in moments like this.
While incidents involving dogs being taken from vehicles are rare, the consequences are devastating and can send shockwaves through a community. We regularly hear of dogs that are lost or stolen after being left unattended in a variety of settings, particularly near stores and coffee shops. These incidents also include dogs slipping out of collars, escaping loose leashes, or, in some cases, being released by strangers.
In reality, many of the circumstances surrounding lost or stolen dogs are never shared publicly or captured in official statistics. That does not lessen the risk. The hard truth is that leaving pets unsupervised in public spaces carries real and sometimes irreversible consequences.
Pets are always safest at home. At the same time, people’s lives, routines, and responsibilities vary, and pets are often part of daily activities. For many, that means dogs joining their humans on commutes to and from work, accompanying them while running errands or shopping, or waiting briefly while parents pick up or drop off children. This everyday reality calls for thoughtful, practical alternatives that keep pets safe while supporting real-world needs.
Solutions like PetParker exist to provide a safe, comfortable, and monitored option for dogs, offering an alternative to leaving pets unattended in cars, on sidewalks, at store entrances, or at public venues. This incident is a painful reminder of the risks involved, and it reinforces the importance of pragmatic solutions that prioritize both safety and accessibility.
We thank our users, supporters, and location partners who share our vision of making communities more inclusive for pet owners, while keeping pets safe and public spaces welcoming for everyone.
Pets are family.
