Never Leave Pets in Vehicles When Temperatures Are 70 or Higher

The Humane Society of Missouri is cautioning pet owners against leaving their pets unattended in vehicles when temperates are above 70 degrees. It estimates that at 72 degrees, the temperature in a car can reach 116 degrees, even with the windows cracked. 

The most common signs a pet is in distress are excessive panting, seizures, unresponsiveness and collapse, said Ann McLaughlin, chief investigator for the St. Louis Division of the Humane Society's Animal Cruelty Task Force. But it's the signs you don't see that are much more life threatening.

"A few years ago, we did an autopsy on a Shar-pei that was left in an unattended vehicle, and the dog's liver got so hot, it was the consistency of a cooked liver," she said. "Being left in a hot car is like being in a microwave for an animal." 

Panting is the main mechanism dogs have to cool themselves down because dogs only excrete a minimal amount of sweat through their paw pads, McLaughlin said.

"The main concern is when dogs are breathing in air that is hotter than their body temperature, which is normally around 101 degrees," she said. "That's the point where changes start taking place in internal organs, such as the liver."

McLaughlin said the first thing someone should do if they find an animal who may be in danger is to call the police and then call the society's Animal Abuse Hotline at 314-647-4400.

"The police will get there first since we only have five investigators for all of St. Louis city and county," she said. "But it's our job to make sure those animals receive the help they need."

For more tips on keeping pets safe during the hot weather months, visit the society's website.