How Richmond shelters are keeping animals cool amid extreme summer heat

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Amid extreme heat being felt across Central Virginia, Richmond Animal League (RAL) and Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) have made adjustments at their facilities to keep pets cool.

According to RAL, its cats stay indoors in the air conditioning, and the shelter has set up kiddie pools in its play yards and backyard area, which are reportedly filled with cool water anytime dogs are outside.

Volunteers with the shelter's RAL Run Club have also stepped in to help with shaded walks with the animals instead of runs.

"There’s not much running space that isn’t paved, so we’re sticking to grassy areas and shaded trails around the shelter for all walks right now. No pavement walks at all until things cool down a bit—we’re keeping those paws protected," a spokesperson for RAL said.

A spokesperson for RACC said the shelter's air conditioning is working and keeping all of its animals cool.

Staff at RACC are taking the animals on short walks and letting them play in a pool as well.

Due to the hot temperatures outside, RAL is encouraging all pet owners to take the following precautions at home:

• Walk dogs early in the morning or later in the evening, avoiding the peak heat hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Always test the pavement by holding the back of your hand to it for 7 seconds—if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them.
• Keep fresh, clean water available at all times, and toss in a few ice cubes to keep it cool.
• Bring water and a collapsible bowl on walks.
• Use cooling mats, damp towels, splash pads or sprinklers for outdoor cooling.
• Brush out excess fur regularly, and consider trims for long-haired dogs, who are more prone to overheating.

RAL also reminds pet owners to never leave their pets in cars -- not even for a few minutes.

"Even on a 70-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can rise 20 degrees quickly. On an 85-degree day, it only takes 10 minutes to hit 102 inside [a vehicle]," a spokesperson for RAL said.