The Grey Bruce Animal Shelter is urging dog owners to keep pets out of parked vehicles this summer.
In a Facebook post, the shelter says, "cracking windows isn’t enough to cool the car."
The warning says a 21 Celcius day may feel mild outside, but inside a parked vehicle with the windows cracked, the temperature can climb to 32 Celsius in just 10 minutes.
"The windows were cracked. It was still too hot," the Facebook post read.
The shelter says dogs are at higher risk because they cool themselves mainly by panting, and that becomes less effective when the air around them gets too hot.
The post also warns that "10 minutes can be too late," especially when a quick stop takes longer than expected.
Pet owners are being told not to leave dogs in vehicles with water, with the windows cracked, or with the engine running.
The shelter says the safest choice is to leave pets at home, adding, "If you love your dog, leave them home."
