Every year when the mercury rises, canine companions are at risk for heatstroke or death when their guardians make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car. Animals can sustain brain damage or even die in as little as fifteen minutes. Staying cool is extra tough for dogs because they can only reduce their internal temperature by panting and sweating through their paw pads.

Parked cars are fast-acting deathtraps for dogs: On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to between 100 and 120 degrees mere minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes.

Most animal lovers are aware of these swift and potentially fatal consequences, but ignorance, neglect, or poor judgement calls still occur, even among trained professionals. A Labrador retriever named Harley, who worked as part of an Iowa K-9 unit, died after he was left alone in a patrol car. The choice to leave an animal behind—even momentarily while running into the supermarket—is an all-too-often fatal decision.

Our best hope for eliminating this tragic trend is to increase awareness, pledge to spread the knowledge, and to act if we see any animal left alone in an unattended vehicle. Please sign the pledge today and help keep our beloved pups cool and safe.