Thuringian animal shelters fit cooling mats and reflective roofs as heatwaves worsen
All 16 animal shelters in the eastern German state have adopted measures from reflective roofing to mobile air conditioners, with a new heatwave now forecast for the coming week.
Animal shelters across Thuringia are increasingly redesigning their facilities to shield animals from hotter summers and more frequent heatwaves. The state animal welfare association said that every new build, renovation or extension now routinely includes high-temperature protection.
Cooling from floor to ceiling
What began as ad hoc heat management has become a permanent fixture, according to association chair Kevin Schmidt. Wherever the building structure allows, shelters are installing cooling systems. The measures range from cooling mats and mobile air-conditioning units to heat-reflecting window films. Some facilities have also started using sun-reflective materials to stop enclosures and outdoor runs from trapping too much heat.
Where it is possible and the structural conditions permit, people try to air-condition.
Three shelters that led the way
Several homes have already completed upgrades. The Tierheim am Wald in Hildburghausen and the shelter in Meiningen both fitted reflective materials on roofs and exercise areas to prevent overheating. In Nordhausen, the city’s animal protection society improved ventilation and shading, while its cat house deployed mobile air conditioners, heat-protection foils and cooling mats. The association stressed that these adaptations have become a central concern, especially when new buildings are planned.
Money and old walls
Many shelters are housed in older buildings and still need significant investment. Although public funding is available for structural work, application procedures are often complex, and not every project that improves indoor climate or energy efficiency qualifies for support. For that reason, necessary changes frequently have to be carried out in stages.
Next wave already in sight
The German Weather Service (DWD) has flagged a new heatwave likely to reach the country in the coming week, although its precise reach and intensity are not yet clear. For the shelters that have spent recent summers learning hard lessons, the forecast is a reminder that the measures they are putting in place are no longer optional.
