PHOENIX — As local leaders prepare for triple-digit temperatures in the coming months, they aren’t forgetting the animals that often struggle in the heat as well.
Maricopa County’s heat control center will reportedly be outfitted with hundreds of new dog shoes and water bowls to keep hundreds of dogs safe and healthy this year.
Funding for the product was approved by the Board of Supervisors this week. The county says supplies will be purchased with $8,000 in Maricopa County Community Solutions Fund through October 2024.
“I am proud of the Board’s efforts to provide heat relief services to Maricopa County residents during the hot summer months,” District 2 Supervisor Thomas Galvin said in a press release. “Providing dog shoes and water bowls at these centers is extremely helpful for people looking to keep their dogs hydrated and protected from paw burns.”
What Arizona Humane Society Offers Tips to keep your pet safe As temperatures rise, how to know if the sidewalk is too hot for your pet’s bare feet, and more.
“When the temperature outside is above 95 degrees, the risk of pavement burns increases when it comes in contact with bare skin, including pet paws. However, be careful of hot asphalt, sidewalks, and desert sand (commonly found on roads). By doing a “touch test” (such as on hiking trails) and by staying indoors during the hottest part of the day, your pet can avoid third-degree burns that may require treatment or surgery. “can be avoided,” AHS said.
Arizona Humane Society
The City of Phoenix has already released its 2024 Heat Preparedness Plan, which addresses the need for programs and services to keep residents safe as temperatures rise.
New preliminary numbers released by the Maricopa County Public Health Department bring the total number of cases to 645. Heat-related deaths in 2023. According to MCDPH, this number is more than 50% higher than the number of heat-related deaths from the previous year.
