CHARLESTON, West Virginia -
The heat isn't just taking it's toll on people but their pets, too.
"We've had a family off our from Winfield who brought a dog and a pet rabbit," said Reverend Janet Harman.
St. Marks United Methodist Church is one of the only animal friendly places that people and their animals have been able to cool off at.
Pet owners have been turned away from some cooling stations because they refused to leave their animals behind. But, pet owners didn't have this problem at St. Marks.
"It's cruel to make them keep their pets home while they cool off," said resident Melba Melton.
Melton came to the church with her daughter, Hayley Elias, and their dogs, Kiki, Kobi, and Kaho.
"They can't take care of themselves so it's almost like having an infant or an elderly person. They don't know what's going on. They are stressed out because they can tell you're stressed out," Elias said.
Despite the heat and loss of power, Elias said she is grateful to be alive.
"I'm definitely thankful we still have a place to go home to. It could be a lot worse," she said.
Church members said there is a good chance they will offer the same accommodations on Sunday.
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