PAW highlights adoption opportunities and shares vital summer safety tips for dogs

Washington, D.C. (7News) — Partnership for Animal Welfare (PAW) volunteers Jason Barbier and Lalynn Kurash joined Good Morning Washington Tuesday to alert the community about local adoption and foster care, while providing key tips to keep your dog safe throughout the heat.

Since 1996, PAW has served as a non-profit organization that is chartered to facilitate the rescue and adoption of homeless domestic animals. The group hosts adoption shows in Greenbelt, Maryland for cats and dogs, which provides options for people to locally adopt and foster.

“We are dedicated to rescuing and placing these dogs into loving, stable homes,” Kurash said while spotlighting one of PAW's featured pets. “This is Joel — he's energetic, happy as you can see, and about 15 months old. He would benefit from an active lifestyle and is a great walking partner. He's very dog-friendly and people-friendly.”

With heat indexes climbing to 110 degrees, PAW volunteers emphasized the immediate need to focus on caring for your four-legged friend during the summertime.

Barbier pointed to the extreme importance of routinely refilling your pet's water bowls and never leaving your pet alone in a car. The volunteer added that owners should keep an eye out for other critical signs to observe in their dog during the heat, such as uncontrolled breathing and slow behavior.

“It's important to know the signs of heat exhaustion,” Jason Barbier. “As long as you put your hand flat on the concrete and it feels comfortable to you, then it might be okay to walk outside. If you wet the dog's paws, that might help too.”

According to Barbier, contrary to popular belief, booties for dogs aren't always the most helpful. He noted that dogs release lots of their body heat through their paws, making booties only harder on the puppy.

As the excessive heat wave continues to burden the DMV, Kurash explained that mid-day walks should be avoided during this time, in addition to shortening the timeframe and distance that your dog walks.

For more information on adoption/foster care applications, events, and resources, visit PAW's Facebook or their website here.