Running errands have become a part of our everyday lifestyle as is taking your furry friends for a car ride, but the two should never mix. Unfortunately pets suffer and die every year when their owners make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car. The temperature can inside your vehicle can rise 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, the longer you wait the higher it rises. Many owners believe cracking a window is the answer, but actually studies show that cracking the windows has little effect on a car’s internal temperature.

Animals can sustain brain damage or even die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes. Beating the heat is tough for dogs, mainly because they can only cool themselves by panting and through their paw pads.

Heatstroke symptoms include heavy panting, rapid pulse, high internal temperature, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, lack of coordination, etc.. Call for help or your vet immediately if you notice any of the symptoms. This kind of tragedy can be avoidable. Call ahead to your destination to see if they allow pets or a simpler solution is to just leave your furry friends at home.