Orange County Warns: Dangers of Pets in Hot Cars

Orange County Animal Services is urging residents not to leave pets in parked vehicles after responding to multiple incidents this summer. Some cases ended safely, but others placed animals in life-threatening conditions and may result in animal cruelty charges.

Car interiors reach 20 degrees hotter than outside temperatures within 10 minutes and up to 40 or 50 degrees hotter within an hour. Cracking a window or parking in shade does little to slow this heat buildup. Pets cannot regulate body temperature as efficiently as humans and can develop heatstroke quickly.

Signs of heatstroke include heavy panting, excessive drooling, vomiting, weakness and collapse. Without immediate medical attention, heatstroke causes organ damage or death.

Florida law prohibits leaving pets unattended in hot vehicles. Violations carry fines, animal cruelty charges and animal removal. The state's Good Samaritan Act allows bystanders to break vehicle windows if an animal appears in imminent danger.

"There are plenty of pet boarding and daycare options in our area, so there's no excuse to put your pet's life at risk by leaving them in a car," said Diane Summer, manager of Orange County Animal Services.

Orange County Animal Services encourages residents to leave pets at home in cool, safe environments. Anyone who sees a pet in distress inside a parked car should contact local law enforcement or emergency services immediately.