Each year, countless animals die because they are left in cars on warm, not just hot, days. Most people don’t realize how quickly the temperature in a car rises, making even a five-minute errand a dangerous situation for a pet left in a parked car.

Doctor René Carlson, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association says, when it comes to your pet’s safety and health, every minute counts. In just ten minutes, the temperature inside a car can rise nineteen degrees. Even if it’s ‘only’ seventy-five out, the temperature in the car can go up to ninety-four degrees. In another ten minutes, you’re looking at a dangerous one-hundred and four. And, cracking windows does not help. Situations like this leave your pet in danger of heat-stroke, a life-threatening condition if left untreated by a veterinarian.

Be sure to leave your pet at home except for when you need to have them in the car.