Can dogs be left in car with windows down? The Ultimate Guide

How Quickly Does it Get Too Hot or Cold for a Dog?

On a mild day of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature inside your car can quickly rocket to over 115 degrees, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics; most of this heat rise occurs within just 30 minutes. And dogs can experience heat exhaustion when their body temperature hits just 103 degrees.

Cracking a window and parking in the shade makes little difference. The problem is that cars are temperature conductors. Even in the shade and with the windows down, cars conduct and amplify the outdoor temperature — it doesnt need to be very warm outside for the inside of your car to become unbearably hot.

Leaving your dog in a freezing car can be just as dangerous as leaving him in a hot car, says the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. When the heater isnt running, cold temperatures can basically turn your car into a refrigerator and could cause your dog hypothermia.

On a sunny day, temperatures rise about 10C above the outside temperature in 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, it can be nearly 20C hotter in a car than outside. Windows down dont make a huge difference.

“A court can impose anything they see fit – they could impose a pet ownership ban for a lifetime,” James said.

“The word were trying to spread is that it doesnt matter whether the window is up or down, whether its a mild day, whether the car is parked in the shade or whether its a big dog or a small dog,” said Brandon James, an inspector with the Ontario SPCA. “It all comes down to a pets ability to cool itself, whether its in a car or tied up in the back yard.”

“Theres a point where even a vet cant reverse the effects of heat stroke.” Alderson said.

“In Alberta, [the Alberta Motor Association] responds to almost 2,000 calls a year related to pets or kids locked inside vehicles,” DArbelles said.

How to help a pet left in a hot car

Take down the cars make, model and license plate number.

If there are businesses nearby, notify their managers or security guards and ask them to make an announcement to find the cars owner. Many people are unaware of the danger of leaving pets in hot cars and will quickly return to their vehicle once they are alerted to the situation.

If the owner cant be found, call the non-emergency number of the local police or animal control and wait by the car for them to arrive. In several states, good Samaritans can legally remove animals from cars under certain circumstances, so be sure to know the laws in your area and follow any steps required.

Get informed: Learn your towns and states laws about leaving pets in hot cars. An increasing amount of states prohibit leaving pets in hot cars, and some grant immunity to good Samaritans who must rescue pets in visible distress.

Be ready to call for help: Gather essential telephone numbers and have them on hand. You’ll want to have your local animal control agencys number and the police departments non-emergency number so you can quickly report the situation. Keep these numbers in your purse, your cars glove compartment or programmed into your phone.

Spread the word: Distribute the Humane Society of the United States hot car flyer [PDF], which spells out the dangers of leaving pets in parked cars. Also share guidelines with your local law enforcement officials for how to investigate hot car-related deaths [PDF].

Get involved: Ask local store managers, shopping malls, restaurants and other businesses to post signs asking customers not to leave their pets in their cars while shopping or dining. A huge part of the solution to this problem is raising awareness.

Speak up: If your town or state doesnt have a law prohibiting leaving pets in parked cars, contact your local representatives or attend a town hall meeting to start lobbying for one.

Watch This Man Use a Rock To Smash a Car Window to Save Dog In Hot Car

Leaving pets locked in cars is never safe. But when the weather gets warmer, it can be deadly. High temperatures can cause irreparable organ damage and even death. Protecting animals from an unnecessary death is a problem we can all agree to prevent.