My Dog Is Cool

The "dog days" of summer can be dangerous for dogs – especially those dogs left inside hot cars. Every year, countless dogs die after being locked in cars while their owners work, visit, shop, or run other errands. These tragic deaths are entirely preventable.

Help! A dog is in a hot car. What do I do?

1. Note the make/model of the vehicle, license plate number and its specific location. Note a description of the dog(s), and the condition of the dog(s), especially if any signs of distress are observed (see below). Also note the time.
2. Call the local animal control agency, police or 911.
3. Some locations, such as malls, amusement parks or casinos, will have on-site security that may be able to take action.
4. Ask clerks at nearby stores/venues to make announcements using the vehicle's make/model to locate the dog's owner.
5. If possible, return to the vehicle to monitor the dog's condition and help responding authorities locate the vehicle.

Signs an animal is in distress include:

• Excessive panting
• Excessive drooling
• Increased heart rate
• Trouble breathing
• Disorientation, stumbling or poor coordination
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Collapse or loss of consciousness
• Seizure
• Respiratory arrest

Dogs with short noses, such as pugs, are more easily prone to heat illness; as are dogs with thick coats, such as Siberian huskies and Pomeranians.  

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At least 14 states and many municipalities have laws that specifically address the problem of animals left in cars in extreme temperatures. These laws often authorize law enforcement officials to enter a vehicle and remove the animal. Even states without these provisions may consider leaving an animal in an enclosed car to be animal cruelty. We recommend that aggressive action including entering a vehicle without an owner's permission be taken by authorities. Please keep in mind charges can be serious.

A dog in distress from hyperthermia is a medical emergency. Dogs rescued from hyperthermia should be taken to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible. In the meantime, remove the dog from the hot conditions and move the dog into a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, area. Wet the dog's coat with room temperature water. Aim a fan at the dog, or fan the dog manually with a paper. Do not force drinking.

Take the My Dog Is Cool Pledge Add your voice to efforts to prevent dogs from dying in hot cars by taking the Cool Dog pledge! There are three easy options to show that you care about keeping dogs safe:

Share on Twitter Send a tweet to your followers. Click on your My Dog Is Cool tweet of choice to share your pledge via Twitter:

• I pledge to never leave a dog in a hot car! #MyDogIsCool www.MyDogIsCool.com
• Warm weather can be a killer for a dog left inside a car. Keep dogs safe: www.MyDogIsCool.com #MyDogIsCool

Sign the My Dog Is Cool pledge certificate If you have access to a camera and printer, you take the official My Dog Is Cool pledge. When you email us your dog's pledge photo, we will add your dog's photo to our "Cool Dogs" Gallery.

1. Print out the "My Dog Is Cool" pledge certificate (Adobe PDF)
2. Write your dog's name on the pledge certificate.
3. Take a close-up picture of your dog(s) with the pledge certificate.
4. Email your photo (bitmap, jpeg, gif, or tiff file) to [email protected].

Please note: We can only publish your dog's photo if your photo contains the My Dog Is Cool pledge certificate. Please do not send previously taken photos of your dog without the certificate.

Thanks for helping us spread the word about the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars! For more information on My Dog is Cool go to www.mydogiscool.com

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