Overland Park, KS - Summer time heat and humidity have arrived, and now is no time to leave your pet in a vehicle, even for a minute.

Overland Park Animal Control officers routinely respond to about 20 calls a week on reports of pets left inside unattended vehicles. Last week, when temperatures were in the 80s, officials received eight calls in a day.

Officials with the Animal Protection Institute tested interior temperatures of vehicles in three states. The results are listed on mydogiscool.com/x_car_study.php Web site. You can even put in your zip code to see if there is an alert for "hot car weather."

Before leaving a pet in a car for even a minute, consider that if the outdoor temperature is 82 degrees, inside a vehicle it can reach 109 degrees.

An afternoon outside temperature of 101 degrees can increase the heat inside a vehicle to 119 degrees. With windows slightly open, the inside temperature can still exceed 110 degrees.

Overland Park Animal Control officers can forcibly rescue a pet if it is determined there is danger to the animal. Each officer carries a gauge to determine the interior temperature of a vehicle.

Pet owners are subject to prosecution for animal cruelty.
Next time you think it will take only a minute, consider your pet's safety and well-being. Its life is dependent on your careful consideration.

If you see a pet inside a car on a hot day, call 913/895-6300 and police dispatchers will notify an animal control officer.