The SPCA has seen an increase in dogs suffering in hot cars, as temperatures rise around the country.
File photo. Photo: 123RF
The group said there had been an early spike in cases, as the mercury hit 28 degrees in some places already this month.
SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen said if you are not taking your dog somewhere specific, leave it at home.
"Think about when you get in your car some days when it's been sitting in the sun and you just about expire while you're getting all the windows and doors open and down," she said.
"If a dog's got to sit in that, it's really dangerous. You're putting your dog's life at risk, don't do it."
She said it could take just 10 minutes for the inside of a car to reach 40 degrees on an otherwise cool day, and dogs can quickly suffer from heat stroke, irreparable brain damage, and even death.
Owners can face a $300 fine for leaving a dog in a hot car.
