(WFRV) - As the cold temperatures continue in our area, it's important to stay mindful of the animals that seek shelter from the harsh weather. According to a Facebook post from the Oshkosh Area Humane Society, cats, in particular, may crawl up into your car's engine bay to escape the cold and wind. Unfortunately, this can be dangerous if the vehicle is started without checking for any hidden hitchhikers. Example photos provided by the Oshkosh Area Humane Society ‘Every single kennel is full’: Animal shelter in Wisconsin takes in 50+ dogs to start the new year, community urged to help If you park outside, here’s a simple step suggested by the Oshkosh Area Humane Society you can take to help protect animals: before starting your car, give your hood a good bang or honk your horn. These small actions can alert any animals, like cats, that might be seeking warmth in your engine. By taking this precaution, you could be saving the life of a cat—or any other animal—so make sure to check your car during these chilly days. The Oshkosh Area Humane Society also says they have not had to rescue any cats out of engines so far this year.