The summer months bring out the best of British culture - beer gardens, beach days, and trips away, with many bringing their furry companions along for the ride.

But with the hottest day of the year expected this week, it's vital to ensure that our pets are kept safe when travelling in the car.

International automotive retailer, Group 1 Automotive, have issued a warning against pet owners leaving their furry friends in a hot vehicle this Summer, with potential consequences for owners going as far as a prison sentence if their dog becomes ill or worse. They also spoke with Jennie Smith, ex-vet-tech and Owner of Dog's Own Grooming, who discussed the steps you should take if you spot a dog locked in a hot car.

What may seem like a simple pop into a shop for us humans can be extremely harmful, or even fatal for our four legged friends who are left alone in a hot car for a period of time, so it's vital to be aware of what you need to prepare for when travelling.

When planning journeys in the Summer months, Group 1 Automotive have listed 5 ways to ensure your pet is properly cared for in your vehicle:

1Have plenty of water on hand

In the Summer months, it doesn't matter whether it's a short drive or not, it's always essential to carry water in the car for your pet.  Remember, most of our pets have a thick layer of fur unlike humans, so they can feel the heat a lot quicker than we may initially feel it ourselves, and can't communicate it with us.  Our pets can become dehydrated, or even suffer from heatstroke, so ensuring they have water is a necessity. According to the RSPCA, it can take only 6 minutes for a dog to suffer from heatstroke in the car, which can be fatal.

Install some window shades

Window shades are a good addition in the hot weather, as they can block the sunlight from reaching your car's interior, keeping it cool.  Window shades are quick and easy to install on your car windows, as well as being reasonably priced, and can be purchased from both high street and online stores.

Use a bed on the seats for your pet

Leather effect is a big retainer of heat, and can warm up fast - especially if it's exposed to the sun for long periods of time. To combat this, purchase a dog bed or cooling mat that can lay on the car seats. 

Turn on the air-con

Our cars can heat up faster than we think, with a 24 degrees celsius exterior temperature able to rise to 38 degrees celsius in just 10 MINUTES inside the vehicle.  To cool down your vehicle relatively quickly, turn on your air-con to circulate some cool air.  On average, it should take around 4-5 minutes for your car to cool down once this has been activated, and is one of the easiest ways to reduce the interior temperature of your vehicle.

Another method can be to open the windows in the car first to let out any hot air. Then, turn on the air con to let the air circulate around the car before setting off for the journey.  As well as this, if your pet is in the back of the car, ensure that the rear vents are facing your pet so they can also feel the full effects of the cool air.

If you drive an electric vehicle, leave the aircon running when you get out of the car.  And it's worth leaving a sign in the window so passers-by know that your dog is comfortable and cool.

Avoid travelling in the car at peak temperatures

Try to avoid travelling in your vehicle at peak temperatures as this can be more dangerous than you might first think.  Be sure to check the weather for the day, and work out which times are the best to travel when the temperature is lowest. Early mornings are typically a better time to travel with your pet.

If your dog or pet does become ill, or unfortunately die from being left in the car, pet owners risk being charged for animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and face a potential fine or prison sentence.  Be aware that short nosed breeds, and brachycephalic breeds, will overheat much faster than others. They have a short nasal passage which does not allow the warm air to cool off before going into their lungs.

Group 1 Automotive asked Jennie what to do if you spot a dog locked in a hot car: "If you come across a dog trapped in a hot car, there are several things you can do.  "Begin by checking if the car doors are unlocked to avoid unnecessary damage. Then you can let the authorities know by calling the local police's non-emergency number. If you're near a store, it's a good idea to ask the staff to announce the car's details over the intercom and let them know you're contacting the police and may need to break into the car.  "If you notice that the dog is in distress, breaking the window safely to rescue them becomes an option. After the rescue, focus on cooling the dog down gradually by applying water to their feet and belly, and then rush them to a vet for a thorough check-up."

According to section 5(2)(a) of the Criminal Damage Act 197, you are able to break a window if you believe the owner: 'would have so consented to it if he or they had known of the destruction or damage and its circumstances' as this can be classed as criminal damage.

On long journeys stop for a break so that both the driver and the dog are able to get out of the car and cool down. You can find specially created dog walks for long journeys on the Driving with Dogs website.