Local veterinarians and RSPCA WA representatives are sending a loud, clear message to dog owners in the South-West.
Last week, members of the public rushed to help a husky locked inside a car in Yallingup. The dog's owners were later found walking along a nearby beach.
Another dog was spotted in a car at the Eaton Fair Shopping Centre on November 28.
Both incidents were reported on social media, with community members quick to condemn the dogs' owners.
The incidents prompted veterinarian/Eaton Vet Clinic partner Dr Braden Collins to post a video on the clinic's Facebook page.
The 29-minute video shows Dr Collins providing important advice to pet owners, whilst sitting in his car.
Over the video's duration, temperatures inside the vehicle rose from 30°C to 59°C.
"High temperatures can prove to be fatal, particularity for short-faced dogs," he said.
"So far, there have been multiple cases of dogs being left in cars and on ute trays.
"People don't realise just how fast these types of situations can spiral out of control."
Dr Collins is urging all dog owners to take special precautions over the next few months.
"The message we want to get across is simple - If you can, leave your pet at home," he said.
"We're also encouraging people to walk their dogs either early in the morning or later in the evening."
Dr Collins said dog owners were welcome to leave their pet at the vet clinic while they shopped at Eaton Fair.
RSPCA WA chief inspector Amanda Swift said the organisation has received more than 600 reports of animals being left in cars, since January 1.
"We've had some very hot days in recent weeks, and it's concerning that the message doesn't seem to be sinking in for some pet owners," she said.
"The temperature inside a parked car can quickly rise to double the outside temperature. Dogs in these conditions can suffer an agonising death within just six minutes.
"There's no excuse for putting your pet at risk of suffering like this.
"People who leave their dog in a car on a hot day can be prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act and face a maximum penalty of $50,000 or five years' jail, and a lengthy prohibition order preventing them from owning an animal for an amount of time determined by the courts."
