Valley Animal Shelter in need of donations to keep dogs cool in heat

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- With triple degree temperatures expected to stick around for close to a week, a Valley animal shelter is asking for your help in keeping its dogs safe in the hot weather.

As the dog days of summer get underway, shelters like Liberty Animal Control in Fresno County are doing everything they can to keep their animals cool.

This while it waits for word from the County Board of Supervisors on whether it can use the old county morgue or construct a new facility to house it's more than 100 dogs and a pig currently being kept outdoors in the scorching heat.

"We don't have the best of the best out here, but we are doing with what we've got," said Liberty Animal Control President Daniel Bailey.

Right now, volunteers like Samantha Garcia are donating their time to groom the dogs; shaving their spring and winter coats to keep them cool in the triple degree weather.

"I believe she's on her 6th dog right now and she's still going so that's awesome," said Bailey.

Others put up shade cloths to keep the animals in kennels off of the hot pavement and out of the direct sunlight.

"We also put in toddler swimming pools they can lay in and swim in just to keep them cool 'because it's getting pretty hot out here," added Bailey.

Frozen water bottles were also placed in the dogs' dishes to make them more comfortable.

"We rotate the water bottles two to three times a day to keep the animals as cool as possible," said Bailey. "Just having something cool to lay next to makes a big difference."

Bailey said the shelter needs your help providing for these pets while it works to find them a good home in these sizzling summer temperatures.

"We have a wonderful special going on right now. Only 60 dollars for the adoption, spayed or neutered with all of the shots as well so it's really great," said Bailey.

With temperatures expected to reach 108 degrees on Tuesday and stay above the 100 mark for the rest of the week, Liberty Animal Control is asking for donations.

Bailey said pillow cases and towels keep the animals off the metal kennel floor and give them something cozy to lie on.

Water bottles are also needed as they're switched out every so many hours and the shelter is also in need of a freezer to keep the water cold for the animals.