COMMUNITY ALERT: Protect Your Pets – Never Leave Dogs in a Hot Vehicle

As temperatures rise, we want to remind residents of the serious and potentially fatal dangers associated with leaving dogs unattended in parked vehicles.

Many pet owners believe that leaving the windows cracked, parking in the shade, or stepping away for "just a few minutes" is safe. Unfortunately, research shows that the temperature inside a vehicle can increase rapidly, creating life-threatening conditions for pets in a very short period of time.

Studies have found that a vehicle's interior temperature can rise approximately:

• 19°F in just 10 minutes
• 29°F in 20 minutes
• 34°F in 30 minutes
• More than 43°F within one hour

This means that on a 75°F day, the temperature inside a vehicle can exceed 100°F within 30 minutes. Even on days that feel comfortable to humans, a parked vehicle can quickly become deadly for pets.

Dogs are especially vulnerable to heat-related illness because they primarily cool themselves through panting. Unlike humans, they cannot efficiently regulate their body temperature in extreme heat. Heatstroke can develop within minutes and may result in organ failure, brain damage, or death.

Signs of Heatstroke in Dogs Include:
• Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
• Excessive drooling
• Bright red or pale gums
• Weakness or lethargy
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Collapse or loss of consciousness

What Pet Owners Should Do on Hot Days:
• Leave pets at home whenever possible when running errands.
• Plan trips during cooler morning or evening hours.
• Ensure pets have access to fresh water at all times.
• Use air conditioning while transporting pets.
• Bring another adult who can remain with the pet if stops are necessary.
• Seek pet-friendly businesses that allow animals inside.
• Never leave a pet unattended in a vehicle, even for a few minutes.

If you observe a dog showing signs of distress inside a parked vehicle, contact local law enforcement or animal control immediately.

A few minutes can make the difference between life and death. Please help keep our pets safe this summer by never leaving them unattended in a vehicle.

Remember: If it's too hot for you to sit in a parked car, it's too hot for your pet.