EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) -- Even with the fall temperatures beginning to creep in, local animal advocates are reminding drivers to keep their pets out of the car.
Volunteers set up a booth Saturday, September 1st, 2012, at the West 11th Avenue Walmart in Eugene, handing out flyers and reminding shoppers not to abandon their pets in their vehicles.
Last summer, Lane County Animal Services dealt with several cases where animals either died or had to be put down after being left in a hot car for too long. On a 70 degree day like Saturday, a car can get to be 89 degrees in just ten minutes.
"The outside temperature when its just 70 degrees within twenty minutes, the inside of the car is 99 degrees,” says Ronnie Joll, a Walmart employee and volunteer.
“Last year here at this Walmart, there was two dogs that we lost that were lost because they were left in a hot car,” says Joll.
Animals can suffer brain damage when their body temperature reaches 106 degrees.
If you see a pet left in the car, local animal services say it is best to call 911.
