Helping Our Animals in the Heat
During the recent hot weather, our teams have been busy ensuring our animals stay as cool and comfortable as possible.
From altering our routines to putting additional measures in place, here's how we've been helping our rescue residents this summer...
Dogs
- Walking dogs earlier in the morning when temperatures are lower
- Doing shorter frequent strolls around the centre during the day
- Using paddling pools, sprinklers and shaded areas to provide cool spots outside
- Supplying frozen Lickimats and Kongs as tasty treats
- Laying freshly wet towels on the ground for our dogs to lie on for short periods
Cats
- Hanging up large blankets and towels outside the cattery to create more shade
- Providing cooling mats for our cats to lie on
Rabbits & Guinea Pigs
- Providing chilled fresh vegetables daily
- Hanging up large blankets and towels to cover the front of their runs and create more shade
- Placing ice bottles or ice pods wrapped in towels into their enclosures, to cool the area and allow our small animals to lie against them if they wish
- Having the opportunity to dig tunnels underground, which provide cooler areas to relax in
Farm Animals, Ducks & Chickens
- Putting up shade sails in their paddocks to create extra shade
- Digging wallows into our pigs' paddocks and topping up with water daily
- Providing chilled fresh fruit and vegetables during the day
- Using sprinklers to mist the area, if the animals are comfortable with this
- Offering frozen vegetables to our chickens and ducks, such as peas, and homemade treats as fun enrichment
Horses
- Bringing horses into the barn during the hottest part of the day, and taking them back out into the fields when it's cooler
- Hosing them down with cool water
- Providing fly masks and fly rugs as protection
For tips on how to keep your animals cool in the hot weather, please click on the button below to read our article.
If you are concerned about your animal or suspect they are suffering from heatstroke, please contact your vet immediately.
