“Be Right Back” Kills. The moment you leave your dog in the car, even for a short period, you’re putting them at risk. Your car acts like an oven, quickly trapping heat, even with the windows cracked. On a typical day, temperatures inside a vehicle can become fatal for pets within just five minutes.

From June to August, the risk is especially high. Charleston Fire Rescue has shared that they’ve been busy saving dogs from hot cars during these sweltering months.

Dogs are particularly vulnerable because they regulate body heat through panting and sweating via their paws, but these natural cooling methods lose effectiveness as temperatures rise. A mere 3-degree increase in a dog’s internal body temperature can lead to heat stroke, which not only endangers your pet’s life but can also be expensive to treat—on average, heat stroke costs pet owners $1,591 in veterinary bills.

What You Need To Know

• How Fast Do Temperatures Rise Inside Cars?
• What to Do If You See a Pet in a Hot Car
• Is It Legal to Break into a Car to Save a Pet?
• What Are the Laws in South Carolina?
• What Are The Signs of Heatstroke?
• Administering First Aid to Overheated Dogs
• Why People Forget How Long They’ve Left Their Car
• Emergency Essentials to Keep In Your Car
• Where Can I Learn More?
• References

How Fast Do Temperatures Rise Inside Cars?

Many pet owners are unaware of how quickly cars heat up, even on a mild day. For example, on a 68-degree day, the inside of a vehicle can soar to 81 degrees within 10 minutes. After an hour, that same car can reach 115 degrees—deadly for dogs. Research has shown that the temperature inside a vehicle can rise by 20º F in just 10 minutes and by 40º F in an hour, even with the windows cracked. Simply put, leaving your pet in the car is never safe, no matter how cool it feels outside.

An independent study demonstrated that on days ranging from 72 to 96º F, the temperature inside vehicles parked in the sun rose rapidly. In one example, a dark-colored sedan parked on a sunny day hit temperatures exceeding 125º F within 20 minutes. A partly cloudy sky or parking in the shade offered little relief—the cabin temperature still reached dangerously high levels.

 

Why Do Cars Get Hot So Fast?

Even on moderate days, the temperature inside a vehicle could rise significantly in just 15 to 30 minutes. And cracking the windows makes little difference in slowing down this dangerous process. Why is that?

The atmosphere and the windows of a car are relatively transparent to the sun’s shortwave radiation (yellow in figure below) and are warmed little. This shortwave energy, however, does heat objects it strikes. For example, a dark dashboard or seat can easily reach temperatures in the range of 180 to more than 200 degrees F.

Dashboards and seats inside parked cars can reach up to 200º F in extreme temperatures. These hot surfaces can severely burn your pet and quickly lead to heatstroke or death. For reference, a temperature of 160 degrees is hot enough to fry eggs, kill Salmonella bacteria, and cause third-degree burns on human skin. But, these hot surface objects also heat the adjacent air by conduction and convection and give off longwave radiation, which quickly warms the air trapped inside the vehicle.

These changes happen equally quickly across multiple car models, car paint colors, and regardless of whether cars are parked in the shade or in direct sunlight. And considering the average person spends roughly an hour shopping for groceries, we highly recommend leaving your pets at home when you run errands.

How Does Car Temperature Effect My Pet?

As little as 3-degree increase in a dog’s internal body temperature is enough to cause heatstroke. A dog’s normal internal temperature typically ranges from 100°F to 102.5°F (38.3°C to 39.2°C). Temperatures above 103°F (39.4°C) are considered abnormal and can indicate fever, while temperatures of 105°F (40.5°C) or higher are a sign of heatstroke and require immediate veterinary attention. To learn more about the effects & treatment of heatstroke, read our blog here.

What to Do If You See a Pet in a Hot Car

If you encounter a pet left in a hot car, here’s what you should do:

1. Call 911. Request police, fire, and an animal control officer.
2. Request Immediate Action. Ask for the animal to be removed from the vehicle.
3. Provide Details. Report the vehicle’s location, make, model, color/description, and license plate number. Note whether the car’s windows are cracked, whether the car is running, whether the AC is on, whether the car is located in the shade. Report the dog’s breed, size, approximate age (puppy, adult, senior), and whether they are displaying any signs of heatstroke. Document everything, including: the time you arrived, the temperature outside, and any other changing conditions. Take notes and pictures. Remember, many owners will lose track of time, mistakenly thinking they’ve only been gone a few minutes.
4. Alert Nearby Businesses. It’s essential you stay with the animal until help arrives. If you have a capable friend or family member with you, ask them to go to nearby businesses to request an overhead PA announcement. Otherwise, you may need to call the businesses instead and ask them to announce the situation and try to locate the vehicle’s owner.
5. Stay Nearby Until Help Arrives. Your presence can help monitor the animal’s condition and ensure they receive help as soon as possible.

Is It Legal to Break into a Car to Save a Pet?

The legality of breaking into a car to rescue a dog depends on where you are. Currently, 31 states have laws addressing animals confined in dangerous conditions inside vehicles, and many of these states provide protection for individuals who intervene. Some of these states allow good Samaritans and law enforcement to intervene to prevent heat-related deaths. These conditions are typically defined as follows:

• The animal is confined or unattended in extreme hot or cold
• The animal lacks ventilation, food, or water
• The animal is in immediate danger

12 states that allow you to rescue a dog from a hot car: AZ, CA, CO, FL, IN (rescuer must pay half of the damages), KS, MA, OH, OR, TN, VT, WI. New Jersey and West Virginia criminalize leaving your dog locked up in a car but do not provide immunity for rescuers.

• With these new rescue laws, most require would-be rescuers to follow a number of steps. For instance, these laws may require that people first ensure the vehicle is locked and forcible entry is the only means to retrieve the animal. The person may be required to first call 911 or local enforcement before entering the vehicle. The law may require that a note is left indicating the safe location of the animal and that the person remain on scene until law enforcement or other first responders arrive.

To see laws in your state, visit

• This comparative table: https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-laws-protect-animals-left-parked-vehicles
• This map: https://www.animallaw.info/content/maps-states-have-laws-protect-animals-parked-cars

If you Opt to Follow Good Samaritan Laws to Break Into a Car to Rescue a Pet:

After a quick assessment, if you still have a reasonable belief that the dog is in immediate danger and no one else has taken action, think about how you can safely and lawfully proceed. Good Samaritan laws in many jurisdictions require you to call law enforcement and follow instructions. If you don’t know whom to call, dial 911.

• If instructed by law enforcement to enter the car or acting on your own accord: consider how you will safely secure the dog. Be aware that a scared dog can bite.
• Do you have a leash, belt, or purse strap? What will you do if a panicked or defensive dog comes out struggling or biting? We highly recommend keeping a slip lead in your car for emergencies (helpful for “catching” nervous dogs and many other situations too). If possible, leave it to local authorities.
• Do you have water for the dog? A dog bowl?
• Check first for an open door. If you must break a window, choose one that will cause the least risk of harm to yourself, the dog, and the vehicle. Remember, you may be responsible for damages.
• After you free the dog, be responsible for their safety until authorities arrive. If you remove the dog from the immediate area to take them to a vet or animal control, contact authorities and leave a note on the vehicle with your name, contact information, and specifically where you are taking the dog. You may also be responsible for securing the vehicle and its contents.

What Are the Laws in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, there is no specific law allowing individuals to break into a car to save an animal. You must call 911 and wait for authorities to arrive. If someone smashes a car window to save a dog before police show up, and it’s later determined that the dog wasn’t mistreated, the window smasher could face a charge of vandalism or worse. Charges are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Leaving a dog in a car in dangerous conditions could lead to animal cruelty charges. Penalties for animal abuse include:

• Up to 30 days in jail or a fine of $500.
• For more serious offenses, the penalties increase to up to 2 years in jail or fines up to $2,000.
• In extreme cases, felony charges may result in up to 5 years of imprisonment.

 

Our friends at Charleston Fire tell us it takes them a few minutes to arrive with full sirens on. So, act fast if you see a dog in danger.

What Are The Signs of Heatstroke?

Heatstroke can develop quickly in overheated environments, especially inside a car. Watch for these signs that your dog may be suffering from heatstroke:

• Excessive panting or difficulty breathing – Your dog may pant more heavily or appear to struggle for air.
• Drooling – Thick, sticky saliva may be a warning sign.
• Pale or bright red gums/tongue – Initially, the gums may lose color (pale), and as the condition worsens, they can turn bright red due to overheating and dehydration.
• Lethargy – If your dog seems disoriented, weak, or is having trouble standing.
• Vomiting or diarrhea – These can occur as heatstroke worsens.
• Collapse or seizures – In severe cases, dogs may collapse or experience seizures.

It is essential you act immediately if you notice any of these signs of heatstroke. To learn more details about the effects & treatment of heatstroke, read our blog here.

Administering First Aid to Overheated Dogs

If you come across a dog suffering from heatstroke, you can provide immediate assistance:

• Offer Water. Give the dog cool (not cold) water to drink.
• Cool the Body. Pour cool water around the dog’s head, neck, belly, or paws.
• Move to Shade. Get the dog out of direct sunlight and into a cool, shaded area. Fan the dog, if you’re able.
• Alcohol Pads on Paws. Applying alcohol pads to the paw pads can help lower body temperature.
• Seek Immediate Veterinary Help. Take the dog to a vet as soon as possible.

Important: Never plunge an overheated dog into an ice bath. The sudden change in body temperature can send them into shock or cause a serious condition called Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), which can lead to severe bleeding and potentially death.

Why People Forget How Long They’ve Left Their Car

Forgetting pets in cars is often linked to cognitive factors such as prospective memory failure and task-focus. When people deviate from their normal routines or are under stress, their brain may revert to autopilot, causing them to overlook tasks not typically part of their day—such as removing a pet from the car. Additionally, when people are intensely focused on another task or mentally overloaded, they may unintentionally deprioritize the presence of a quiet pet. High cognitive load can overwhelm the brain’s ability to recall future tasks, especially when environmental cues—like an active child or groceries in sight—are absent.

Time perception also plays a role, as people often misjudge how long they’ve been away from the car, especially during quick errands. This can be compounded by optimism bias, where individuals assume nothing bad will happen in their absence. Without visual or auditory reminders to stimulate memory, the brain can easily overlook a quiet pet. These cognitive factors make it essential to set reminders, create visual cues, or develop habits that prevent accidental oversight.
The safest thing you can do, is arm yourself with knowledge and leave your pet at home.

Emergency Essentials to Keep In Your Car

We recommend keeping a few essentials in your car:

• Car window breaker: In case you need to quickly access a dog locked in a hot car, this may be helpful. Remember, follow local laws. You may be held responsible for any damages & be sure to call 911 before you act.
• Slip lead: For safely and quickly securing a dog in distress. Remember, scared dogs can bite or flee. These are affordable & don’t take up much space. Keep one in your travel bag & in each car.
• Alcohol pads: These can be used to cool paw pads by promoting evaporative cooling.
• Water: Keeping water on hand is critical for hydration and cooling. This travel container or these collapsible bowls are great to keep with you.
• Portable fan: To help provide airflow and cooling, especially if your car isn’t running. We have both Treva & O2Cool fans.
• A thermometer – Check your dog’s temperature. Heatstroke typically occurs when their body temperature reaches 104°F (40°C) or higher. Mella is our favorite noninvasive pet thermometer.
• Shade cover or window shades – If you’re stuck somewhere, these can help keep the car cooler.

Where Can I Learn More?

Read more on our blogs:

• Heatstroke, sunburns, & skin cancer in dogs and cats & how to treat it, here.
• The summer cooling essentials we recommend and use, here.

Watch Dr. Doug Cifranick discuss these summer safety essentials:

• Summer & Dog Exercise Safety on IG, FB, or TT.
• 3 Summer Vet Tips on IG, FB, or TT.
• It’s Hot Enough to Melt Our Equipment – Vet Warning About Summer Heat on IG, FB, or TT.
• Dangers of Hot Cars on IG, FB, or TT.

If you’d like to schedule an appointment or discuss specific heat or sun-related concerns for your pet, please call or text us at (843) 966-3362. You can also schedule an appointment online.

Our mission is to provide convenient, fear-free, personalized pet care and our blog allows us to share important educational content. To support our efforts, this page may contain affiliate links. We earn a commission for qualifying purchases – at no cost to you.