LEXINGTON, Ky. — Animal control specialists say that if this summer’s temperatures are overwhelming for you, they are just as dire for your pets.

What You Need To Know

  • The Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control Center wants to help people keep their pets safe in the extreme heat

  • The center will provide temporary crates to owners whose animals stay outdoors

  • Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control responds to calls year-round regarding animal losses, dangers, cruelty, cases and more

  • The center says to reach out to report a concern, need help or to ask for a temporary crate

If the temperature rises to or above almost 91 degrees, pets can easily be at risk of heat exhaustion. 

Jai Hamilton is a cruelty investigator with Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control. She says that during June’s heat advisory across multiple counties, including Fayette, the center responded to three critical calls in one week. 

“We unfortunately had three dogs die that we know of due to heat stroke. And we want to prevent any animal deaths if possible. So we’re trying to get the word out and let people know to be mindful of their pets if they see their pet having different behavior, such as seeking shade or trying to go to the faucet to get water or just acting differently,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton says they respond to around 1,600 calls yearly and many during seasonal changes. 

That’s why they are alerting pet owners to help prevent emergencies.

“In all of those cases, the owners were present with their dog. They just weren’t paying attention to their dog. So make sure that even if you have a proper setup and when it’s 90 degrees, these animals are still dying. So make sure that if you take them outside in 90-degree weather, it’s for a couple of minutes at a time, and then they come back inside,” she said.

Hamilton says keeping them hydrated, near shaded areas, away from hot pavement, and bringing animals indoors during extreme temperatures are essential steps. 

This year, the center will provide temporary cages to owners whose animals permanently stay outdoors to come inside. 

“Very popular this past year is a lot of people are breeding what they’re calling exotic bullies. so their pit bull mixes, French bulldog mixes, British bulldogs, other breeds, like pugs or boxers,” Hamilton explained. “They have short noses. And when they have short noses, they have a harder time regulating their body temperature.”

Hamilton says she and her team are passionate about helping the community’s pets and encourage everyone to be mindful of the heat.

The center says to reach out to (859) 255-9033 to report a concern, need help or to ask for a temporary crate.

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