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ASHLAND — Weeks of sweltering heat have sent people searching for shade and air conditioning.
The same scorching temperatures have prompted Ashland residents to ask how dogs at the Ashland County Dog Shelter are staying cool and safe.
Kennel Manager Shannon Hamilton said the staff closely monitors temperatures, uses industrial fans and provides cooling treats while adjusting daily routines to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Safety of dogs during heat wave
The Ashland County Dog Shelter monitors the temperature in the kennel pods throughout the day. Temperature gauges are placed at both ends of every pod to monitor conditions from the front and back of the room.
“The highest I’ve seen this year is 78, 79,” Hamilton said. “It has not hit 80 degrees in the pods.”
Staff leave kennel doors open during the hottest parts of the day to improve airflow while industrial fans circulate air throughout each pod.
The dogs’ time outdoors is limited during extreme heat, and staff watch closely for signs of dehydration or heat stress. Fresh water bowls are also cleaned and refilled every morning before being topped off again in the evening.
Hamilton said temperatures typically fall to about 74 degrees overnight after the dogs are settled in for the evening.
Hamilton said the shelter has not experienced any heat-related illnesses among its dogs since he became kennel manager in 2023.
Why isn’t there air conditioning in the kennel pods?
The kennel pods do not have air conditioning. However, cooling remains a top priority for the shelter.
The building’s ventilation system is designed to pull stale air out of the kennel and bring fresh outside air into the building. During the winter, the system helps circulate cooler outdoor air. In the summer, it would continuously draw in hot, humid air.
Hamilton said the current ventilation system exchanges air about eight times an hour.
“If AC was set up in these pods right now, and that current system was on, it would nonstop suck the cold air right out of the building,” Hamilton said. “It wouldn’t be efficient, but it would be expensive.”
Staff shut off the air filtration system during the hottest days to keep it from pulling in outside heat.
As of this week, Hamilton said he is not aware of any plans to install AC in the kennel pods.
Quality of life for the dogs
Volunteers regularly stop by the shelter to walk the dogs and provide enrichment.
During the summer months, frozen yogurt treats, frozen peanut butter-filled toys and frozen bones help keep the dogs occupied while offering relief from the heat.
The dogs also receive seasonal treats like watermelon and blueberries, and a small pool in the outdoor yard gives them another way to cool off.
Dogs needing additional hydration or with certain medical conditions receive electrolytes when needed. Volunteers and staff also mark each dog’s health, appetite and behavior to quickly address any concerns.
Community support fills in the gaps
Volunteers and support from the community keep shelter operations moving.
Hamilton said he rarely has to purchase dog food. Donations arrive quickly whenever the shelter posts a need online. Toys, treats and blankets are also donated throughout the year. Blankets are often replaced with towels during the summer because they are lighter and cooler for the dogs.
Ashland County commissioners recently accepted $4,834 in monetary donations for the shelter. Commissioner President Mike Welch said donations have increased over the past year; last quarter they received close to $11,000 in donations.
“When somebody passes away, they’ll have a list of different places you could donate to a favorite charity,” Welch said. “A lot of times the Ashland County Dog Shelter is in that request.”
Welch said the donations help pay for routine expenses like food, toys and leashes.
Hamilton said first quarter donations of this year were the highest the shelter has ever received.
These donations allow the shelter to provide everyday necessities and enrichment for the dogs, especially during the challenges of the summer months. The shelter is always accepting donations and new volunteers.
The community’s support is a reminder of the shared commitment to keeping the dogs safe and cared for.
“We don’t do this for the pay, we do it because we care,” Hamilton said.
