The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for the majority of the state of Iowa. As we brace for this extreme heat, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is prepared to help pets and pet owners stay safe during these high temperatures heat indexes.
- ARL Main is a Pet-Friendly Cooling Station: Anyone who needs relief from the heat with their pets can come to ARL Main (5452 NE 22nd St. Des Moines) during normal adoption hours (M-F 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat-Sun 11 a.m.-6 p.m.).
- Outdoor Pets: The ARL strongly recommends that outdoor pets be brought indoors to a cool area during these extreme temps. Polk County residents who see a pet in distress should call the non-emergency police dispatch # for their area. In Des Moines, that # is 283-4811. During extreme temperatures, these calls will be considered priority calls. Dogs must have access to adequate shelter (properly insulated), food, water, and veterinary care, but in extreme temps, additional accommodations may be necessary to prevent a pet from being in distress.
- Helping Outdoor Wildlife: Set out a large bowl of water for any community cats or other animals that need access to water. Check it often to ensure it doesn’t get too warm and change it out for nice cool water, or freeze bowls of water and set them out so they last longer.
