With temperatures set to rise this week, the RSPCA is issuing advice to pet owners to ensure their animals are safe in the heat.

The Met Office has predicted highs of 20C on Saturday and Sunday, prompting the charity to remind owners to consider their animals over the summer weather.

Every year the RSPCA receive thousands of reports of animals suffering from heat exposure.

The most common calls their emergency 24-hour line receives are about dogs in hot cars.

Last month, Wirral RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes left a thermometer in his van in 15C heat and left it for an hour to see what temperature it would reach inside his vehicle.

Within just 60 minutes, the temperature had climbed to 43.5C.

Inspector Joynes said: “In an emergency, it is best to dial 999 and report a dog in a hot car to police.

"The RSPCA may not be able to attend quickly enough and with no powers of entry, we’d need police assistance at such an incident.

“If the animal is displaying any sign of heatstroke - such as panting heavily, drooling excessively, is lethargic or uncoordinated, or collapsed and vomiting - call 999 immediately.”

If the situation becomes critical and police can’t attend, many people’s instinct is to break into the car to free the dog.

But an RPSCA spokeswoman said: "Be aware that without proper justification, this could be classed as criminal damage.

"Make sure you tell the police of your intentions and take photos or footage of the dog as well as names and numbers of witnesses.

"The law states that you have a lawful excuse to commit damage if you believe that the owner of the property that you damage would consent to the damage if they knew the circumstances".

Once removed from the car, move the dog to a shaded, cool area and douse him or her with cool water.

Allow the dog to drink small amounts of cool water.

Top tips for pet owners in hot weather:

· Don’t let your pet get sunburnt.

· Ensure animals have access to shade and fresh drinking water.

· Check every day for flystrike.

· Keep fish tanks out of direct sunlight and top up water levels of ponds.

· Keep an eye out for wildlife when using lawnmowers or strimmers.

· Keep pesticides out of reach of animals.

You can call the RSPCA 24-hour emergency cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 for advice but, in a dog is in danger, dialling 999 should always be the first step.