Amrita Sahasrabudhe

Amit Sahasrabudhe and his wife say they are enjoying the company of their foster dog Jack while they are at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

As temperatures hit 119 degrees and broke records this week in Phoenix, Maricopa County Animal Care and Control is pushing to get dogs out of their shelters.

The county is aiming to get 119 dogs into foster homes by Aug. 1. Its shelters have been operating above capacity since June. The currently house approximately 800 dogs.

Since there are not enough individual kennels, shelters have had to split certain enclosures in two, with some dogs living in outdoor portions.

Fields Moseley with Maricopa County said the shelters use swamp coolers and fans to keep those dogs from overheating. 

“Hopefully people can keep these dogs into the, you know, late summer, early fall, when it cools down a bit and it's just not as stressful for them to be in the shelter anymore," Moseley said. 

Potential fosters must complete an online application before visiting the shelter.

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