With summer in full swing, and area residents spending more time outdoors, officials with the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region are again imploring pet owners to prioritize the safety of their four-footed friends.

Each year, the humane society responds to dozens of calls about pets left behind in cars during the summer months, sometimes with deadly consequences, said humane society spokesman Cody Costra.

This year, the humane society’s Animal Law Enforcement division has responded to more than 200 calls about unattended pets — mostly dogs — in hot cars, Costra said.

Even on what might seem like a mild summer day, the temperature inside a car can reach triple digits, according to the animal welfare agency.

“The inside of a car heats up very quickly. And cracking a window makes no difference,” he said. “For example, on a 75-degree day, the temperature inside a car can climb above 94 degrees in just 10 minutes and 104 degrees in 20 minutes. On warmer days, it will go even higher.”

Dogs don’t have the natural cooling mechanisms that humans have, officials said. Because they can’t sweat, dogs primarily cool themselves by panting. In a hot vehicle with little to no circulating air, panting does not help.

“Pets that are exposed to high temperatures can suffer fever, organ failure, brain damage, or even death,” Costra said.

Losing a pet due to negligence can be traumatic for the owner. Being charged with animal cruelty can make it much worse.

“Animal Law Enforcement has seen some extremely devastating cases in which pet owners truly didn’t realize they were putting their pets at risk and the pets died,” Costra said. “But even though the owner had no malice or ill intent, they were criminally negligent and charged with cruelty to animals.”

The Humane Society recommends that pet owners leave their pets at home, even if they’re just going on a quick errand.

“If you do have to run some errands with your pet, we recommend only going to places that are pet-friendly where you can bring your pet with you,” Costra said.

With temperatures reaching the 80s and 90s for the foreseeable future, pet owners are advised to monitor their animals for signs of heat sickness.

“If you suspect a dog has overheated, move them out of the sun and heat, offer cool water, and use cool — not cold — water to bring their temperature down,” Costra said. “Then contact your veterinarian immediately.”

Residents are also asked to be on the lookout for unattended pets in parked cars.

“If you see a pet that’s been left unattended in a vehicle on a hot day, please call Animal Law Enforcement at 719-302-8798 or police dispatch to report it,” Costa said. “If the animal is in severe distress or unconscious, call 911.”

With summer in full swing, and area residents spending more time outdoors, officials with the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region are again imploring pet owners to prioritize the safety of their four-footed friends.

Each year, the humane society responds to dozens of calls about pets left behind in cars during the summer months, sometimes with deadly consequences, said humane society spokesman Cody Costra.

This year, the humane society’s Animal Law Enforcement division has responded to more than 200 calls about unattended pets — mostly dogs — in hot cars, Costra said.

Even on what might seem like a mild summer day, the temperature inside a car can reach triple digits, according to the animal welfare agency.

“The inside of a car heats up very quickly. And cracking a window makes no difference,” he said. “For example, on a 75-degree day, the temperature inside a car can climb above 94 degrees in just 10 minutes and 104 degrees in 20 minutes. On warmer days, it will go even higher.”

Dogs don’t have the natural cooling mechanisms that humans have, officials said. Because they can’t sweat, dogs primarily cool themselves by panting. In a hot vehicle with little to no circulating air, panting does not help.

“Pets that are exposed to high temperatures can suffer fever, organ failure, brain damage, or even death,” Costra said.

Losing a pet due to negligence can be traumatic for the owner. Being charged with animal cruelty can make it much worse.

“Animal Law Enforcement has seen some extremely devastating cases in which pet owners truly didn’t realize they were putting their pets at risk and the pets died,” Costra said. “But even though the owner had no malice or ill intent, they were criminally negligent and charged with cruelty to animals.”

The Humane Society recommends that pet owners leave their pets at home, even if they’re just going on a quick errand.

“If you do have to run some errands with your pet, we recommend only going to places that are pet-friendly where you can bring your pet with you,” Costra said.

With temperatures reaching the 80s and 90s for the foreseeable future, pet owners are advised to monitor their animals for signs of heat sickness.

“If you suspect a dog has overheated, move them out of the sun and heat, offer cool water, and use cool — not cold — water to bring their temperature down,” Costra said. “Then contact your veterinarian immediately.”

Residents are also asked to be on the lookout for unattended pets in parked cars.

“If you see a pet that’s been left unattended in a vehicle on a hot day, please call Animal Law Enforcement at 719-302-8798 or police dispatch to report it,” Costa said. “If the animal is in severe distress or unconscious, call 911.”