Urge Lawmakers to Take Action for Kids and Animals in Hot Cars!

UN INT Intro Text w/ Responsive Image - *Important Note* You must UNLINK this shared library component before making page-specific customizations.

Dogs need your help now—most hot-car deaths occur in July.

More than five dogs and seven children have already died from heat-related causes in 2020—and since social distancing because of the COVID-19 pandemic extends store wait times and prolongs errands, PETA is concerned that this summer could see an unprecedented number of hot weather–related deaths.

More than 50 children and at least 33 dogs died in agony after being left for a prolonged period of time in hot cars in 2019. Another 126 animals were rescued just in time—and since these numbers include only those incidents reported in the media, the actual figures are likely much higher.

Every year, dogs and children suffer and die when their guardians make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car. Hot vehicles are death traps for dogs: On a 70-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to 99 degrees in 20 minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 109 degrees in just 10 minutes.

The Hot Cars Act of 2019 (H.R. 3593) aims to minimize these deaths by requiring automakers to install warning systems in new vehicles alerting drivers when a passenger remains in the backseat after the car is turned off.

Although some automakers agreed to add rear-seat warning systems voluntarily, we're urging lawmakers to require them. Laws mandating lifesaving features such as backup cameras, air bags, and seatbelts have been passed and seem like common sense to us now. This law is no different, and the technology called for in the bill is readily available.

On average, 39 children die in hot cars per year—or one every nine days. These deaths can be prevented.

With your help, we can get this legislation passed!

Please send a polite e-mail to your representative urging him or her to co-sponsor the bipartisan Hot Cars Act of 2019.

You're welcome to use our template letter, but remember that putting your subject line and message into your own words will help draw attention to your e-mail.