Leaving your pet inside a parked vehicle on a hot, summer day could be dangerous. The temperature can rise rapidly after just a few minutes. Parking in the shade or leaving the windows cracked does little to alleviate the heat.

• On sunny days windows collect light, trapping heat inside the vehicle, and pushing the temperature inside to dangerous levels. For example on an 85-degree day the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. At 110 degrees, pets are in danger of heatstroke. On hot and humid days, the temperature in a car parked in direct sunlight can rise more than 30 degrees per minute, and quickly become lethal.

  • Pets are especially susceptible to overheating. While people can roll down windows, turn on the air conditioner or exit the vehicle when they become too hot, pets cannot.
  • Pets are much less efficient at cooling themselves than people are.  Dog’s sweat glands are located in their noses and the pads of their feet.  The only way for a dog to cool down is to pant and drink water.  If they only have overheated air to breathe, dogs can suffer brain and organ damage after just 15 minutes.
  • Remind friends to keep their pets at home during the summer months if they'll be going anywhere pets are not allowed.
  • Get involved. It's against the law to leave a pet unattended in a parked vehicle in a manner than endangers the health or safety of the animal.  If you see a pet in a parked car during a summer day, go to the nearest store and have the owner paged. Enlist the help of a local police officer or security guard or call the local police department and animal control office.
  • In case of an emergency, it's important to be able to identify the symptoms of heat stress caused by exposure to extreme temperatures. Check the animal for signs of heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, restlessness, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, and unconsciousness.

Immediately take the following steps to gradually lower your pet's body temperature. Follow these tips, and it could save your pet's life:

• Move the animal into the shade or an air-conditioned area.
• Apply ice packs or cold towels to her head, neck, and chest or immerse her in cool (not cold) water.
• Let her drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes.
• Take her directly to a veterinarian.