Don’t leave a pet alone in the car this summer, even if you’re just running in for a quick errand.

“Pets are very susceptible to overheating,” said Kelly Connolly of the Humane Society. “Even on a warm day, not necessarily a hot day, they can overheat quickly. Never leave your pet in a parked car, even for a few minutes.  This can quickly lead to heat stress, exhaustion, and sometimes death for your pet.”

A Stanford University study found on a cool 72-degree day, the temperature of an automobile interior can increase 40 degrees within an hour. That exceeds recommended safety limits for pets, Connolly explained.

Like small children and babies, Connolly said pets have special needs whenever they travel. Anxiety about visiting new places or and traveling can upset your pet. Do some research about traveling with your pet before you go. Get your animal’s health checked out by a veterinarian and make sure vaccinations are up-to-date.

Here’s a list of pet safety tips and suggestions from The Humane Society if you’re planning on traveling with your pet by car this summer:

-Never leave your pet unattended in your car.

-Keep the vehicle cool and run the air conditioning for your pet when you take a trip.  And remember, leaving a window rolled down slightly is not enough to protect your pet from possible heat-related problems.

-Bring along plenty of water and food for your pet. Keep a water bottle and portable water bowl in the car.