Pools, fountains and ice cream: Pets cope with France's heatwave

Dogs and cats in the Paris region are pawing through a record-breaking heatwave in France, bathing in pools, sipping water from their owners’ water bottles and even eating special ice cream in an effort to beat the heat.

As recent days saw temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of the country, an animal rescue centre in Gennevilliers, near Paris, has been making extra effort for its 80 canines.

“We have a lot of little accessories that we put in place every summer, especially pools and making ice cream for dogs,” centre worker Audrey Collin told Reuters on Friday (June 26). “It might seem just whimsical and fun when it comes to a regular summer, but during a heatwave, these can quickly become vital.”

The centre, which also house 80 cats and some rabbits, also prepares ice cream made of broth, meat, kibble and, from time to time, cheese, to help dogs cool down.

Some of the dogs are placed in enclosures with green roofs, which helps alleviate the heat, while others live in indoor spaces where the temperature is maintained at 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

Elsewhere in Paris, home to an estimated 100,000 dogs, pet owners have been flocking to purchase accessories to hydrate their pets – water bottles, portable bowls and pools with fountains.

Pet store manager Yoann Palombo said his shop has sold 12,000 cooling mats in three weeks, and sales have soared 112% compared to the same period last year.

"This time, it's because no one was ready, we were not ready for such a big heatwave to come. And so all the seasonal products were sold out quickly,” he said.

Parisians dog owners also said they are adapting to the heatwave by taking walks early in the morning or late in the evening to escape the sizzling sun. A wet towel could also do wonders, many said.

“Yes, a wet towel works quite well," Parisian Sylviane Ricart said.

Camera: Noemie Olive, Lucien Libert, Clotaire Achi, Production: Noemie Olive, Lucien Libert, Ardee Napolitano, Writing: Ardee Napolitano/Reuters