If you see an animal locked in a car, and you
are afraid the animal will die,
call the police and ask for assistance.
Death Trap
Don't leave your dog or cat in a parked car when it's hot
outside
-- not even for a short trip to the supermarket! The build-up of
heat inside your car can kill your pet very quickly. Even if you
leave your windows cracked a bit, your dog or cat can die of heat
prostration within a short time. With only hot air to breathe,
your pet can die, or suffer brain damage -- in a short time. The
temperature of your car can reach over 160 degrees F on a hot
day.
Shaded areas, open windows, and air conditioned
cars with the motors off don't work.
Please...
A dog's normal body temperature is
101.5 to 102.2 degrees
Fahrenheit. A dog can withstand a body temperature of 107-108
degrees Fahrenheit for only a very short time before suffering
irreparable brain damage -- or even death. The closed car
interferes with the dog's normal cooling process, that is,
evaporation through panting.
If your dog is overcome by heat exhaustion, you can give
immediate first aid by immersing him or her in cold water until
body temperature is lowered.
If you would like a hard copy of this page suitable for slipping
under windshield wipers, please email your request. Or, just print this
out from your computer!
(Information gathered from the Humane Society of the U.S.)
This page is dedicated in loving memory to Trixie, who died of
heat exhaustion.
