Lots of pet owners enjoy taking their dogs along with them in the car, whether it’s on a camping trip, or a quick errand at the store. 
Animal Control has advised that Penske Automotive Group pass along to our customers and fans some helpful tips. This summer local police and fire departments around the country have been getting calls from concerned people about animals suffering from heat exhaustion inside a vehicle. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the temperature inside a car can rise tens of degrees compared with the outside, with the majority of the increase occurring in the first 15 to 30 minutes. For example if it is a relatively comfortable 75 degrees outside: the temperature inside a car can reach 115 degrees in less than half an hour.
Making matters worse, dogs aren’t able to sweat to cool themselves down like people can. They depend almost entirely on panting. Dogs often are not able to recover once they are overheated, making them vulnerable to severe organ damage or death.
So if you’re going to bring man’s best friend along for the ride, to make sure they’re staying cool and comfortable. Here are some ways to keep your pet from getting too hot inside the car:
- Make sure they have enough water at all times.
- Be mindful of your time away from the vehicle. Reports say many owners are responsible but end up leaving their pets in car for longer than expected.
- Keep the car properly ventilated, by cracking the windows.
- If your animal is territorial, try and park away from other cars.
- Park in a spot that will offer shade for a while, even as the sun moves.
