06/30/2026
EXTREME HEAT WARNING
The next several days could be deadly for pets.
From Tuesday, June 30 through Friday, July 3, dangerous temperatures are expected across Detroit. Every summer, dogs and other animals suffer heatstroke because they don't have access to the basics they need to survive.
If you know someone with an outdoor dog, please share this post. It could save a life.
Here are the most important things to remember:
• Fresh, cool water must be available at all times. Check it often and refill it throughout the day.
• Dogs MUST have shade. A dog house is not shade. In direct sunlight, dog houses trap heat and can become dangerously hot inside. Dogs need a shaded area where air can circulate.
• If possible, bring dogs inside during the hottest part of the day, from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM. We know many Detroit homes don't have air conditioning, and sometimes inside can feel almost as hot as outside. Even so, a basement is often the coolest place in the home and can provide life-saving relief from the sun.
Heat is dangerous for people and animals alike. It only takes a short time for a dog to become overheated, and heatstroke can quickly become fatal.
While you're filling your pets' water bowls, please consider leaving a bowl of fresh water outside for wildlife and stray animals, too. During extreme heat, that simple act of kindness can make all the difference.
Please share this post so we can reach as many people as possible before the hottest temperatures arrive. One share could help save a life.