The Johannesburg SPCA has earmarked a section of their dog run to have a walk-in swimming pool installed for all their dogs this summer.
Johannesburg, South Africa (24 August 2023) – South Africa is bracing for a blazing hot summer this year and the Johannesburg SPCA is raising funds to add a fun bit of enrichment to its dogs’ lives. They are planning on installing a dog pool. Now that is pretty cool!
Cool is exactly the aim in this case, however, not your hair twirling high school kind of cool, more like your refreshing iced tea under the shade of a tree with the breeze blowing through your hair kind of cool.
The Johannesburg SPCA has experienced how hot it can be and over the years, has taken various steps to keep the kennels cool. As they are made of concrete, they heat up pretty quickly. A few years ago, the team raised funds to install shade netting in the kennels to help keep temperatures down. In preparations for another scorcher, this season’s plans include a dog pool.
Dog pools are different from your standard swimming pool, they are shallow so a dog can stand without having to paddle around and they go from very shallow to a little deep, so smaller dogs can just dip their toes if needed. Much like the gradient of a beach. The SPCA plans to install this pool in their large dog run, earmarking a 3mx3m space for the pool.
“Every summer is hotter than the one before and our animals up for adoption really feel the heat.
We have the space – just need help in getting the pool! It would help cool the dogs down helping to prevent heat stroke in the kennels and also help dogs get use to water and enjoy water. Some dogs that get adopted don’t like swimming or getting wet for a bath – We think by introducing dogs to water from a young age can only have a positive impact when they get adopted.
We would also be able to have doggie pool days at the SPCA and get volunteers involved. Even the older dogs who might have an aching bone or 2 could benefit from walking in the pool.”
Anyone who can assist with this project can send an email to [email protected].
“You know how nice and refreshing it is to jump in a sparkly blue pool to cool down – just imagine you helped to give pets the same experience!” – Liana Marx, Johannesburg SPCA Public Relations
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