The summer heat in Arizona can be life-threatening for people experiencing homelessness — and also for their dogs.
Maricopa County will start handing out dog shoes and water bowls at its heat relief centers this year.
The County’s Board of Supervisors approved the motion unanimously on Wednesday.
Pavement surfaces can reach 180 degrees Fahrenheit during the hottest times of the year, which can cause severe damage to a dog’s paws.
County-run heat relief centers are open from May 1 until Sept. 30. The emergency cooling centers will be established at various community centers, churches and organizations.
Maricopa County saw a new record in the number of heat deaths last year at 645 listed in a preliminary report.
