60 degrees too hot for pets to be in cars

Cracking the windows does not help it doesn’t prevent the temperature in the car from rising. Leaving pets inside a closed car, or even one with all the windows rolled down, is dangerous, deadly, and illegal.

Even if it is a comfortable 60 degrees outside, a closed-car interior can reach 100 degrees in 20 minutes on a sunny day. At 73 degrees outside, an SUV can heat up to 100 degrees in 10 minutes and to 120 degrees in just 30 minutes. At 90 degrees outside, the interior of a vehicle can heat up to 160 degrees within several minutes!

Never, ever leave your pet inside the car. If Fido can’t come with you when you leave/park your car, leave him at home. Also, the pavement can be blistering hot for the pads of your dog’s feet.

Leaving animals outdoors without shelter is just as dangerous as leaving them inside a hot car. Be sure they are not left anywhere without sufficient water. Whether in a cage, on a chain in the backyard, in the bed of a truck (especially with metal flooring) or outdoors in a run without sufficient shade/cover or air circulation.

Please report pets in hot cars to the police immediately by calling 911.

TERI KROLL

Sandpoint