Cooling down hot dogs
Community donates ice to give relief to animals
Humans aren’t the only ones benefiting from icy, fresh water during this summer’s extended heat waves. Thanks to quick mobilization, scores of animals at Castaic Animal Care Center have indulged in some heat relief thanks to ice blocks donated by members of the community via Newhall Ice.
After shelter volunteers reached out to the public about needing ice to help animals refresh themselves via social media earlier last month, an abundance of responses poured in, suggesting that Newhall Ice could sell blocks for half the price and deliver for free.
“The phones started ringing like crazy,” said Newhall Ice co-owner Sara Hajek. “We could barely manage the phones taking down credit card numbers
and then we had people stopping by with cash.”
People have donated as low as $2 and as high as double the total amount given for a single day. The family-owned business has already received close to $600 in donations and that amount may rise if the heat waves continue, Hajek said.
The animal shelter has received about six rounds of donations for its almost 80 animals on site, according to Area Manager Karen Stepp.
Each delivery includes 600 pounds worth of ice blocks, which are then broken into smaller portions for animals to lick, swim in or to refresh their drinking water.
“The donations have been really helpful during these high temperatures,” said Don Belton, Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control public information officer.
After receiving a positive response from the community, a Castaic shelter volunteer-run Facebook page status read, “This community is so wonderful. Thank you everyone for caring about the animals at the Castaic Shelter.”
While the shelter has taken measures to accommodate animals during the triple-digit weather, Belton reminds pet owners to do the same.
“The message is to not forget about pets,” she said. “You can put ice in water bowls, keep them in shady areas and use fans whenever possible.”
Stepp and Belton said Santa Clarita Valley pet owners have access to pet-friendly cooling centers, made available by Animal Care and Control during the heat alerts extended through Saturday.
The closest location is the El Cariso Park gym, located at 13100 Hubbard Street, Sylmar.
Newhall Ice is not accepting donations at this time but may do so once again if another heat alert is issued. If they do, the business will put out a notification on its social media sites, Hajek said.