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'Keeping 87 dogs cool from the heat is a challenge'

Charlie Stubbsin Roden
Charlie Stubbs / BBC There is a black cane corso eating a frozen chicken treat inside of a white dish. He is stood half on a white cloth and half on brown grass. He is wearing a yellow harness and has a red lead. Behind him is two black benches and a silver water bowl.Charlie Stubbs / BBC
Just like when people eat ice-cream, giving frozen treats to dogs, like Brian the cane corso, helps them cool down, says The Dogs Trust

"Particularly on hot days, it is safer to skip dog walks than risk [your dog] overheating or the paw burns."

As rehoming manager at the Shropshire branch of The Dogs Trust, Steffanie Parker is giving pet owners' advice, as she and her team face managing the health of nearly 90 dogs during the current heatwave.

Parker's top advice to owners worried about missing a walk for their pet is simple. "If the ground is too hot for you to touch with the back of your hand then it is also too hot for your dogs to be walking on it," she says.

This approach has been even more crucial in 2026, after eight days this year where the temperature has gone above 34C, a record for the UK.

Parker said it has been a challenge to manage their canine crowd but the team has worked hard to give them everything they need.

The site, in Roden, can look after up to 120 dogs at a time, meaning lots of staff are needed to make sure each dog is cared for.

Brian is a three-and-a-half year old cane corso who has been with the charity "for a few months."

The charity say the "substantial body mass" releases more body heat, making it harder for dogs like him to cool down.

"Generally, the younger they are more robust, but he is a black dog and he is larger," the re-homing said.

"That is a lot more strain on dogs, especially in the heat."

'Walk first thing'

"We have noticed that the dogs have been struggling a bit more. We've been trying to work around it the best way we can so [they can] stay safe in the sun," Parker said.

"We have been starting an hour earlier and are walking all of our dogs first thing, rather than cleaning.

"Also, we're making sure that we're walking in shaded areas, [having] shorter walks and doing a lot more enrichment indoors."

Charlie Stubbs / BBC There is a labrador with golden fur having fun in a paddling pool. She is wearing a yellow harness and has water covering her paws. Her pool has a red rim and an aquatic outline, featuring cartoon fish, starfish and red circular windows. Next to her is a trainer who is wearing a grey t-shirt, grey shorts and has her brown hair in a ponytail. She is on one knee playing with the dog.Charlie Stubbs / BBC
Staff looking after seven year old labrador Rosie quickly found she loves being in the water

Parker said dogs who are old, overweight or have pre-existing health issues, as well as flat-faced breeds like pugs and French bulldogs, are the most likely to suffer from heatstroke.

Signs your dog is unwell

The Dogs Trust says key signs your dog is feeling unwell because of the heat are:

  • Heavy panting
  • Excessive drooling
  • Vomiting
  • Collapsing
  • Diarrhoea
  • If the dog is drowsy or uncoordinated

"You should offer them some drinking water and making sure that you are cooling the dog down," the re-homing manager said.

"You can do that by just pouring water over them, but you shouldn't put a towel directly on top of them because it can trap the heat.

"Also, avoid their face. The key thing to remember [if your dog is ill] is you should get them wet and then get them to the vet."

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