By HEATHER MOORE
The PETA Foundation

With temperatures soaring, it’s crucial not to leave dogs alone in the car. The best place for dogs when temperatures rise, even slightly, is safely at home.

Even on a 70-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can climb to 99 degrees in just 20 minutes. On a 90-degree day, it can reach 109 degrees in only 10 minutes. That’s more than enough time for a dog to suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke.

Research shows that parking in the shade or cracking the windows doesn’t reduce the danger. Dogs have even been known to inadvertently turn off the AC and suffer as a result.

If you see a dog alone in a vehicle, ask nearby businesses to page the owner and call authorities if the person doesn’t return promptly. Watch for signs of heatstroke, including excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, collapse, seizures, or loss of consciousness. If authorities are slow to respond—or if they are responsible for the animal’s plight—and the dog is in imminent danger, do whatever is necessary to free the animal and remain on the scene until officials arrive. Offer water and, if possible, move the dog to an air-conditioned area.

Many places have laws that protect humans who rescue animals from hot vehicles. See PETA.org for more information.