Why Fido Can’t Stay in a Hot Ford

It's summertime in New England and we all know how hot our parked cars get. If you have leather seats like me, you'll probably start the car and roll all the windows down for a few minutes before you even sit inside. But could you imagine sitting in that heat for a half hour without a breeze? That is what one veterinarian did to demonstrate the dangers of leaving a dog locked inside a parked vehicle. Every year, pet owners make the mistake of leaving their furry companions in a parked car that can overheat in a matter of minutes. Dr. Ernie Ward places himself a hot van with all four windows slightly cracked and the results are astonishing.

According to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a 78-degree day could average between 100 and 120 degrees in a parked vehicle, and on a 90-degree day the temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes. These figures are alarming because a "quick errand" can turn into a life threatening situation. Please put your pet's health first. Don't leave them in a parked car this summer. Fido will thank you over and over again.