DES MOINES, Iowa — The hot weather Iowa is experiencing can turn dangerous quickly, both for people and for pets, whether outside or left in hot vehicles.

The Messenger reports that last week, around 10 dogs had to be rescued from hot vehicles in Webster County. That’s why leaders with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa want to remind Iowans of heat safety tips for pets.

Leaders with the ARL say that even on a nice 70-degree day it can only take minutes for the inside of a car to reach close to 100 degrees, potentially fatal temperatures for animals inside.

It’s important that if you do have a high-energy pet, you take walks either early in the morning or late at night when temperatures aren’t as bad, and lean on enrichment tools like lick mats, sniff mats, and training to help mentally stimulate your pet.

But if you do have to take your pet outside, there are important signs to look out for to ensure their safety.

“Signs you can look out for to see if your pet is tolerating those temperatures or not tolerating them if they’re lifting their paws up off the concrete. That’s a good sign that they’re ready to go inside. Are they hyper-salivating or drooling excessively? That’s going to be another sign that, you know, they need to get inside, get hydrated as well as, you know, are there is their skin turning pink. That’s a sign of stress in animals, especially if they have light fur. That’s going to be something that’s a little easier to see and notice. And that would be another good indicator, too, to come inside,” said Grace Locke, Shelter Manager for the ARL.

Locke also said it’s important to check the concrete to ensure that your pet won’t burn their paws.

“So, a good way to see if it’s safe for your animals to walk on concrete outside is to do a seven-second touch test, like you mentioned. So if you can comfortably hold your hand for seven seconds on that cement, then it’s a good idea to, you know, that’s an okay temperature for your pet to be able to walk outside on that as well.”

Locke says the ARL also serves as a cooling center for people with pets that need to seek air conditioning, and that if you see a pet inside a car struggling, call local law enforcement immediately.

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