The listening area is under a heat advisory until tomorrow night at 7 p.m. and with that pet safety is a concern. The Humane Society of the United States has a few tips to help keep pets safe despite the rising temperatures.

– Never leave a pet in a car – the society says, on an 85-degree day the temperature in a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes and after 30 minutes it can reach 120 degrees, a temperature at which a pet may suffer organ damage or die.

– Also, provide ample shade and cold water, add ice to the water when possible. A dog house does not provide relief from heat, tree shade and tarps are ideal because they allow for air flow.

– Humidity affects pets – if the humidity is high it is difficult for pets to cool themselves because they are unable to evaporate moisture from their lungs. A dog’s temperature should not get above 104 degrees. “It’s important to remember that it’s not just the ambient temperature but also the humidity that can affect your pet,” says Dr. Barry Kellogg, VMD, of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. “Animals pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels—very quickly.”

– Limit exercise on hot days.

– Fans do not cool off pets as well as they do people.

In addition, signs of heatstroke include: heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid hearbeat, lethargy, lack of coordination, vomiting and excessive thirst. To treat a pet suffering from heatstroke, the society recommends, moving the pet to an airconditioned area, applying ice packs or cold towels, and letting the pet drink small amounts of water or lick ice cubes. Take the pet directly to a veterinarian.

For more information visit the society’s webpage by clicking here.