Dogs in Hot Cars

Dogs can suffer and die when left inside parked cars, even on mildly warm days. On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a shaded car is 90 degrees, while the inside of a car parked in the sun can reach 160 degrees in minutes. Animals can succumb to heatstroke in just 15 minutes.

If you see a dog left alone in a car, take down the car's color, model, make, and license plate number and have the owner paged inside the store, or call local humane authorities or police. Do whatever is necessary to get the dog out of the car—his or her life may depend on it.

PETA offers leaflets that can be placed on vehicles to remind people never to leave unattended animals inside. For information on ordering PETA's "Don't Let Your Dog Get Hot Under the Collar" leaflet, please click here.

Celebrity Simon Cowell stars in PETA's public service announcement (PSA) informing viewers of the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars. You can help spread the message by contacting us at PETAPSA@peta.org or 757-622-7382 for information on how to get the PSA aired on your local television stations. To view the PSA, click here.

More tips on keeping dogs cool in hot weather.