Do the cool thing! Keep dogs out of hot cars!
Summer is finally here and the weather, if not delivering on sunshine, is being consistently warm and muggy. With outside temperatures reaching up to 26 degrees on some days, it's time to be reminded of the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars.
Even if you think the day is mild, the temperature inside a car can rapidly increase, making it unbearable for dogs trapped inside. An outside temperature of 22 degrees can quickly reach 47 degrees (inside a car) within 60 minutes. If a dog's body temperature rises above 41 degrees, all it takes is 20 minutes for it to succumb to the heat and die. As dogs sweat through their paws rather than their skin, it's impossible for them to regulate their body temperatures and cool down.
It is especially problematic for particularly old or young dogs, long-haired breeds, and those with short snouts like pugs and bulldogs.
This summer, #dothecoolthing and never leave your dog in a hot car! If you do happen to see one, call the RSPCA's 24-hour cruelty helpline on 0300 1234999 or the police.