Remind your family not to leave animals unattended in a parked car for any period of time. On an 85º F day the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102º within ten minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120º.

At 110º, pets are in danger of heatstroke. This can happen even with a car window partially open and the car is parked in shade. Pets are not able to cool off the way people do. Be on the lookout for animals that are overheated:

• Look for signs of heat stress, such as panting, glazed eyes, unsteadiness, throwing up, hard time walking, or a deep red or purple tongue.
   
• If your pet is overheated, lower her body temperature immediately. Do this by moving her to the shade and applying cool water all over her body to gradually lower her temperature. Apply ice packets or cool towels to your pet's head, neck and chest only.
   
• Let your pet drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes.
   
• Take your pet to a vet immediately.

If you see an animal in a car showing any of these signs, call your local animal care and control agency or police department right away. Go into the nearest store and see if the car's owner can be paged.

There's even more you can do:

• Remind friends to keep their pets at home during the summer months if they'll be going anywhere pets are not allowed.
   
• Spread the word by distributing posters or by leaving brochures on windshields. You can download and use our 3x4 inch brochures or 8.5x11 poster. Ask store clerks to hang posters in their shop windows. Ask rental  car companies to leave the cards on dashboards. 

In many states, it's against the law to leave a pet unattended in a parked vehicle that is unsafe for the animal. Make this summer a safe one for all animal friends!

Learn more by watching these HSUS videos: Dog Daze and Hot Cars.