---
title: Hot Cars and Dogs at Drop-Off | Happy Paws Kennels
url: https://happypawskennels.com/guides/hot-cars-and-dogs-at-drop-off/
business: Happy Paws Kennels
address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620
phone: 707-678-6600
hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM
type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971
rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night)
---

- [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/)
- [Guides](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/)
- Hot cars and dogs

# Hot cars and dogs: drop-off in a Central Valley summer

A parked car heats up far faster than most people expect, and cracked windows do not fix it. At Happy Paws, leave your dog in the car with the air conditioning running during check-in, and a staff member walks your dog in.

[Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600)

Summer in the Central Valley makes pavement and car interiors dangerous in minutes. The check-in routine at the kennel is built around that.

## How fast a car heats

The AVMA reports that the inside of a parked car can rise about 20 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 minutes and nearly 30 degrees in 20, and more than 40 degrees above the outside temperature after an hour. Shade and cracked windows make no real difference. The CDC adds that even cool days can produce dangerous temperatures inside a closed car. Warning signs of heat stress are heavy panting, drooling, restlessness, unsteadiness and collapse, and that is an emergency for a vet.

## What California law says

Penal Code section 597.7 says a person shall not leave or confine an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the animal's health or well-being due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water. The practical rule is to keep a dog with you or keep the car cool and the stay short and close.

## How check-in works at Happy Paws

Please leave your pet in the car while you check in and out. A staff member carries in food and belongings and walks your pet to the run, which prevents parking-lot scuffles and escapes. On a warm day leave the air conditioning on. Plan to keep the check-in quick, and let the office know which car is yours. The pavement can be hot, so staff may scoop up your dog and hurry in to protect its feet. That is the reason, not rudeness. The [hot pavement and paws guide](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/hot-pavement-and-paws/) shows a quick test you can do with your hand.

## Timing your day

Drop-off and pick-up windows are 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM, so the morning window is the cooler choice in July and August. Check-out is by 11:30 AM. If you pick up in the afternoon you pay half of the nightly fee. Do not run errands with your dog in the car on the way, and bring water for the ride. See the [heat stroke guide](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-heat-stroke/) and [how hot is too hot for dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-dogs/) for local numbers.

### Sources (checked October 19, 2026)

- [AVMA, pet safety in vehicles](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/pets-vehicles)
- [California Penal Code section 597.7](https://california.public.law/codes/penal_code_section_597.7)
- [CDC, heat and pets](https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health/risk-factors/heat-and-pets.html)

### 2026 nightly rates

- First Class kennel $72
- Business Class kennel $59
- Economy Class kennel $52
- Cat condo $35

All-inclusive: food, medications and walks. 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026.

[All 2026 rates](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/)

### Visit or call

6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620

[707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600)

| Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM |
| --- | --- |
| Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM |

[Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)

### Related

- [Hot pavement and paws](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/hot-pavement-and-paws/)
- [Heat stroke in dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-heat-stroke/)
- [How hot is too hot for dogs? Dixon summer numbers](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-dogs/)
- [Hours and holiday closures](https://happypawskennels.com/hours/)
- [Drop-off and pick-up](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/drop-off-and-pick-up/)

## Heat and cold near the kennel

**NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Vacaville station (about 8 miles from the kennel)**

| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Days 90°F+ | Days 100°F+ | Nights 32°F or below |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Jan | 57.6°F | 39.6°F | 0 | 0 | 5.1 |
| Feb | 63°F | 42.2°F | 0 | 0 | 1.8 |
| Mar | 68.5°F | 44.8°F | 0 | 0 | 0.7 |
| Apr | 74.9°F | 48°F | 1.3 | 0 | 0.1 |
| May | 82.8°F | 52.9°F | 8.2 | 1 | 0 |
| Jun | 90.7°F | 57.7°F | 15.9 | 4.3 | 0 |
| Jul | 97.3°F | 60.2°F | 27.1 | 10.1 | 0 |
| Aug | 96.5°F | 59.5°F | 25.3 | 9.3 | 0 |
| Sep | 91.9°F | 57.5°F | 19.1 | 3.3 | 0 |
| Oct | 81.2°F | 51.8°F | 4.6 | 0.4 | 0 |
| Nov | 67°F | 44.5°F | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Dec | 57.9°F | 39.5°F | 0 | 0 | 5.5 |

A normal year: about 101.5 days at 90°F or hotter, 28.4 at 100°F or hotter, 14.2 freezing nights. Source: [NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/normals-monthly/1991-2020/access/).

## Read next

- [How to weigh your dog at home](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-to-weigh-your-dog/)
- [Loose stool after boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-diarrhea-after-boarding/)
- [Your dog's first day of day care](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/first-day-of-dog-day-care/)
- [Car sickness in dogs on the drive to the kennel](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/car-sickness-in-dogs/)
- [How to read boarding kennel reviews](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-to-read-boarding-kennel-reviews/)
- [How much exercise does a dog need on a trip away?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-much-exercise-does-a-dog-need/)
- [Can dogs get sunburned in Dixon summers?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/can-dogs-get-sunburned/)
- [Boarding or day care](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/boarding-vs-day-care/)

Answers

## Questions people ask

Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/).

### Should I leave my dog in the car at check-in?

Yes, at Happy Paws. Leave your pet in the car, air conditioning on in warm weather, and a staff member walks the dog in.

### Why do staff sometimes carry my dog in?

The pavement can be hot enough to burn paws, so staff may scoop and hurry to protect the feet.

### Is cracking the window enough?

No. The AVMA says cracked windows and shade do not prevent a car from becoming dangerously hot.

### What does California law say?

Penal Code section 597.7 forbids leaving an animal in an unattended vehicle under conditions that endanger it due to heat, cold or lack of ventilation.