Shelter pups waiting to be adopted in Brevard County now have a way to stay cool outside in the summer heat.

  • Brevard Animal Services opens bone-shaped dog pool
  • Shelter dogs can play in pool, keep cool under water fountain
  • $22,000 was raised to pay for pool, equipment

Brevard Animal Services on Friday unveiled a new, dog-bone shaped wading pool at its Melbourne care center.

The pool is complete with spraying hoses and a canopy to keep both dogs and workers in the shade.

The Sheriff's Office said the new pool takes the place of two small plastic pools.

"Our thought is, the more we can socialize them, exercise them and make their life that much better, in the interim of finding a forever home, the better off we all are," Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.

The $22,000 pool and equipment was built with fundraising money from the Sheriff's Office Pet Posse, which holds events throughout the year. Sponsors include Best Pools, FP&L, Kisner Trucking, Nail Farms and Dogs Play For Life.