City offers cooling center, tips for pets during heat wave

The City of Menifee is providing a cooling center for residents and offering tips to keep pets cool and healthy heading into an extreme heat wave this weekend.

The National Weather Service has posted an extreme heat warning for Southwest Riverside County through 9 p.m. Saturday. The temperature in Menifee by Thursday afternoon had reached 105 degrees, with highs of 113 predicted for Friday and 104 for Sunday.

The City of Menifee has partnered with the Riverside County Community Action Partnership to offer a cooling center at Kay Ceniceros Senior Center, located at 29995 Evans Road. Cooling centers, which are free and open to the public during heat emergencies, provide a drop-in site for seniors, the disabled, vulnerable individuals and others seeking temporary relief from the heat.

"With the expected heat wave warning this week, and throughout the summer, it is important that our most vulnerable residents have a location to 'cool off,' " said Mayor Pro Tem Lesa Sobek. "It is collaborative efforts with organizations like the Community Action Partnership that really make a difference in the community."

For additional Cooling Center locations, call the Summer Energy Crisis Hotline at 888-636-8676 or 951-955-4900 or visit capriverside.org.

In addition, Menifee Animal Control Chief Mo Middleton reminds pet owners to take special care of their animals during a heat wave.

"The best thing to do during excessive heat is to keep all animals inside in cool places," said Middleton, chief animal control officer for Animal Friends of the Valleys. "But if the animals can't be brought inside, they must be given shade and plenty of water."

Many dogs are still recovering from the frightening sound of fireworks set off illegally in the city. They may need special attention at this time.

For those who own larger animals, Middleton says that misting fans, sprayers and a hose can keep cattle, horses and other animals cool.

"Horses can lose more than 7 gallons of fluid as sweat," she said "It is important to note that if the sum of humidity and temperature exceeds 130 degrees, horses and other animals can be at risk for heat stroke. This risky combination of heat and humidity often occurs earlier in the day than most expect because of high humidity in the morning."

Middleton also reminds residents that pets should not be kept in a car for any length of time without the air conditioner on. The best thing for pet owners is to leave your pets at home, and that they should only go outside when the temperature has reduced or cooled down.

For more information, visit www.americanhumane.org or please call Animal Friends of the Valley at 951-674-0618 or visit their website at https://animalfriendsofthevalleys.com.