It can be a ruff time keeping the hot dogs at Hunter RSCPA cool.
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Staff have been busy trying to keep all their four legged companions in care cool during the busy Christmas and New Year period as temperatures around Maitland soar into the high 30s.
But they need a little help from the local community.
Hunter RSPCA regional manager Debbie Jagger said the shelter was seeking donations of ice or small plastic pools for animals in care.
“We put the call out regularly every summer, and some people just turn up with ice – it’s always wonderful,” she said.
“We can get up into the 40 degree temperatures here at Rutherford.” The shelter uses social media to call out for donations of ice during the warmer weather, which can be bought in bags from service stations or bottle shops.
“Someone actually donated 40 clam shell pools, and the dogs absolutely love it. We will fill them with water and ice to cool them down,” Ms Jagger added.
“It’s a great outlet for the dogs to cool down but also have a play.
“People are welcome to just turn up and hand it over, they don’t even need to talk to us.
“We will always use the ice. We really appreciate it.”
Earlier this year, Club Maitland City donated a ute-load of ice to the Rutherford shelter over a scorching weekend.
But ice isn’t the only donation that the Hunter RSPCA could use.
“We always welcome the donation of toys, “ Ms Jagger said.
“If people are something different to donate, cat and dog toys go down really well.”
But if people really want to change a furry life, the shelter has animals waiting to find their ‘fur-ever’ home.
“We are packed to the rafters. Cats have a breeding season in summer so we have lots of cats and kittens at the shelter plus all our dogs,” Ms Jagger said.
“There’s a lot more choice for people, and we even have a few horses on site. ”
For further information about donations or adopting, contact Rutherford Animal Shelter on 4939 1555.
