(PIKES PEAK REGION, Colo.) — Hot weather is here to stay for the summer, and the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) gave an important reminder on Tuesday, June 17, to take precautions to keep their pets safe from the dangers of extreme heat.

According to HSPPR, even on a mild day, the temperatures inside a parked car can skyrocket within a couple of minutes, with temperatures able to exceed 100 degrees inside a car within 20 minutes on a 75-degree day. In those kinds of temperatures, pets are at risk of heat stroke, organ failure, brain damage, or death.

HSPPR reported that every summer, Animal Law Enforcement (ALE) receives numerous calls about pets left in vehicles, often because the owner doesn’t realize they are putting their pets’ lives in danger. But being unaware of the law or the potential harm doesn’t protect owners who unintentionally put their pets in danger.

If you see a pet left in a hot car, call HSPPR ALE at (719) 473-1741 or police dispatch immediately. If the animal is unconscious or in visible distress, call 911.

If an animal is showing signs of overheating, help it by:

Moving the pet to a cooler area out of direct sunlight.

Offer cool (not cold) water to drink.

Use cool water on the pet’s body to gradually lower its temperature.

Call the vet right away.

Hot cars are not the only thing pet owners need to watch out for in the hot weather. When taking dogs for walks, it’s important to consider the temperature of the pavement. When the air temperature is 87 degrees, the asphalt can reach up to 143 degrees, hot enough to burn a dog’s paws in less than a minute.

Using the following tips will help protect pets’ paws:

Place the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it will be too hot for your pet’s paws.

Walk in the morning or evening, when the day is cooler.

Find a place to walk that is not paved, such as grass, dirt trails.

According to HSPPR, a little awareness can go a long way, and planning ahead can save pets from danger and owners from heartache or expensive vet bills.