Dangers of heat for pets: what to know

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Thursday and Friday are not messing around; the heat will be on the street and it’s our four-legged family members who will take the brunt.

“Do not take you animals hiking. Do not take them running. Don’t run them next to a bike when it’s hot outside,” warned Nina Tompson with the San Diego Humane Society.

Tecolote Canyon, Mission Trails, Iron Mountain and Los Penasquitos Canyon are just a handful of the trails where dogs have been rescued due to extreme heat conditions.

Now, the San Diego Human Society is trying to get out in front of weather to prevent another dangerous pet day in the dog days of August. Even a stroll around the block in the midday heat is not recommended.

“Your dog is not going to be comfortable walking on the pavement, it’s too hot,” said Tompson.

Humane Law Enforcement officers say heat waves spike their calls for rescues and the emergencies come on fast, especially when dogs get left in cars for just a few minutes.

According to experts, in just 30 minutes--like a trip into the Trader Joes--it can turn a warm 95-degree day into a deadly 129-degree car. So if you see a dog struggling in a car, call for help. But in desperate situations, there is more you can do.

“Under the Right to Rescue Act, good Samaritans have the ability to help an animal in distress, Tompson explained. "Call 911 and then you are allowed to smash the window.”

Tompson also emphasized the importance of having plenty of water, shade, a fan or air conditioning to keep pets cool during this period extreme heat.

"If you are hot, they are hot too,” she warned.

More tips on how to keep pets safe in the summer heat can be found here.