What to do when you spot a dog stuck in a car on a hot day

Veterinarians and pet wellness experts have been warning for years about the risks of leaving dogs inside of cars during hot days, but it seems that some pet parents still haven't gotten the message. Now that it's the dog days of summer and the weather will become a bit more hot and sticky, it's your duty as an animal lover to keep your eyes peeled for irresponsible owners who have left their pets in their vehicles where they can be susceptible to heat stroke or dehydration.

According to MNN.com, a car with its windows cracked on an 85-degree day can reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 minutes, and nearly 120 degrees Fahrenheit in a half hour. If you do happen to see a dog stuck in a car on a hot day, keep the following tips in mind to find a way to help.

1. Notify store owners. If you're outside of a mall or shopping plaza, head into the nearest security office or notify the store manager. This individual will get on the loudspeaker and try to locate the errant pet parent. Be sure to make a note of the vehicle's make, model and color to ensure that the individual will get the message!

2. Call animal control. If you're not successful in your attempt to find the pet parent, consider calling animal control or the police. According to Paw-Rescue.org, the police may be the better option, as they will arrive far more quickly and can open up the vehicle and save the animal. While the pet parent will obviously be a bit peeved to see a police officer standing by his or her vehicle, you can have peace of mind knowing that the person in question probably won't put the animal's life at risk ever again.

3. Keep flyers handy. Spreading the word about the potential dangers of leaving a pet in a hot car is vitally important, so think about printing out a few flyers that say "Don't Leave Me in Here - It's Hot!" and leaving one on the car. This is obviously a more passive way to get the pet parent's attention without getting yourself directly involved in the situation, and it could be a good way to let these individuals know just how dangerous their behavior really is.