Michael Levitt was driving along Vista Chino during extreme heat when he spotted a man named Mario walking five dogs and decided to stop. What started as a roadside check-in turned into a race against the clock to get the animals somewhere safe before the Palm Springs Animal Shelter locked its doors for the day.
Keeping Dogs Safe in Extreme Heat
General pet-safety guidance in a WUFT report carrying NPR's reporting recommends providing pets with shade and cold water while outdoors in hot weather. That general guidance does not establish whether Mario's dogs showed signs of heat illness.
Levitt, who is known locally as an animal rescuer and longtime advocate for pet adoption, learned that Mario and his girlfriend were homeless and had been caring for seven dogs between them, according to NBC Palm Springs. The couple was trying to find homes for five of the seven, and Mario told Levitt he feared he would have no choice but to release the dogs into the community if he couldn't place them. Levitt checked the time and realized the shelter was set to close in just 26 minutes.
Finding a Place for Five Dogs
Levitt said keeping all seven dogs with Mario was not a realistic solution. With the shelter due to close in 26 minutes, he drove Mario and the five dogs there, NBC Palm Springs reported.
A video of the encounter later drew hundreds of thousands of views and comments, according to the station. Viewers offered financial help, but Levitt encouraged the community to focus on adoption and fostering.
Levitt's Appeal to the Community
In his appeal, as reported by NBC Palm Springs, Levitt urged people to adopt or foster animals at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. He pointed to shelter favorites and bonded pairs that may benefit from staying together, and said he hoped Mario's five dogs would find caring homes. He also encouraged people to visit and give one or two dogs a permanent place to live.
The rescue unfolded amid broader capacity pressures. The Riverside County Department of Animal Services reported reaching 220% capacity heading into this summer's peak, KESQ reported. Jack Hagerman said the seasonal pattern brings more animals to shelters and fewer people interested in adopting, according to KESQ.
A Weekend Push That Found Homes For Dozens
That capacity pressure had already prompted a push earlier this year. During a nationwide adoption event held the weekend of Aug. 15-16, the Palm Springs Animal Shelter reported that 83 animals found homes, including 31 dogs, 51 cats and one rabbit, KESQ reported. Among them was a cat named Chicken Bake, adopted by volunteer Amber Wagner after a visit that wasn't originally meant to end in a new pet; shelter staff said the event was also an opportunity to place older cats who are often passed over in favor of kittens.
Levitt's own history with rescue animals runs deep. His production company brought “The American Rescue Dog Show” to ABC, a project he created alongside fellow producers Jill Goularte and Jennifer Schulz, as reported by the Desert Sun. Levitt and his partner have also personally adopted three senior pit bulls, Trooper, Nelson and Archie, reflecting the same adoption message he's now amplifying on behalf of Mario's dogs.
