☀️🐾 It's Too Hot for Pets to Be Outside

With extreme summer temperatures affecting the DC area, it's simply too hot for pets to be outside for extended periods. High heat and humidity can quickly lead to heat exhaustion or life-threatening heatstroke, even for healthy animals.

If your pet needs to go outside, keep trips brief, make sure they have access to shade and plenty of fresh water, and bring them back indoors as soon as possible. Avoid walks during the hottest part of the day, and remember that hot pavement can burn sensitive paw pads.

Never leave a pet in a parked vehicle—even for a few minutes. The temperature inside a car can reach dangerous levels in just minutes, even if the windows are cracked.

If you see an animal left outside in dangerous heat or alone in a hot vehicle, don't wait to see if someone else will help. Make the call. Don't worry about whether a neighbor or pet owner might be upset. A moment of discomfort is far better than an animal suffering a preventable tragedy.

Animals can't speak for themselves—they rely on us to speak up for them.

If you believe an animal is in danger because of the heat, call (202) 888-PETS immediately. Your call could save a life.

Together, we can help keep every pet safe during this extreme heat.