Patches is available for adoption from PAWS & More Animal Shelter in Washington.

As vehicles are prone to oven-like temperatures in the summer, pet owners are reminded of their freezer qualities this winter.

Dogs that are left in an unheated vehicle can develop hypothermia, which begins to set in when their temperature drops below 99 degrees fahrenheit. If left untreated, hypothermia can result in cardiac or respiratory failure, brain damage, coma, and even death. PAWS & More Animal Shelter Director Amber Talbot believes dogs should never be left unattended in a vehicle no matter the temperature, “I mean we don’t know what our animals are doing in the vehicle when we’re not there. They could become panicked, they could become fearful, they could be reactive, or they could be completely fine and just lay down and take a nap in the backseat. But it doesn’t really benefit them if they are experiencing reactivity or nervousness or things like that. We could actually in turn be making their experience a very negative one instead of a positive one.”

If you do wish to take your canine friend on an adventure, Talbot asks that you have another person along to stay in the vehicle with the dog if you stop for an errand. Shivering and curling up for warmth are some of the first signs of mild hypothermia in dogs. Other signs to watch for include increased heart rate followed by a slow heart rate, sluggishness and delayed reflexes, depression, and dilated pupils. If you notice these signs, quickly cover your dog and turn on the heat to warm them up. For more serious signs owners should contact a veterinarian immediately.