K9 Heat Stress Monitoring with Kestrel® Meters and DROPs

K9 Heat Stress Monitoring with Kestrel® Meters and DROPs

The Pennsylvania Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement is committed to protecting the welfare of breeding dogs and puppies in commercial kennels, and environmental monitoring plays a vital role in this mission. To ensure safe conditions year-round, the Bureau has integrated Kestrel DROP data loggers and the new Kestrel 7000 Environmental Monitoring Meter into their inspection processes.

These devices offer reliable and continuous monitoring of temperature, humidity, and heat index - key environmental factors critical to canine safety. Dog wardens have the tools and knowledge they need to ensure kennels comply with Pennsylvania's important welfare regulations.

Environmental Monitoring with Kestrel Devices

Kestrel DROPs are strategically placed inside all commercial kennels across Pennsylvania. Typically hung from walls or cages, these compact data loggers monitor and store environmental readings hourly, allowing wardens to collect accurate data during routine inspections. This is especially important given state regulations from Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin, which mandate that:

  • At temperatures below 85°F, relative humidity must be maintained between 30% and 70%.
  • When temperatures rise above 85°F, the relative humidity must be adjusted to achieve a Heat Index (HI) of 85 or lower.

The DROPs provide long-term data collection and compatibility with the Kestrel LiNK app, making it simple to download, review, and analyze data on a smartphone or tablet. This real-time insight allows wardens to ensure kennels meet temperature and humidity requirements, ensuring safer environments for the dogs.

kestrel DROP

The Kestrel 7000: A Game-Changer for Long-Term Monitoring

While the DROPs have been highly effective, the Bureau has encountered challenges with replacing humidity sensors after 2-2.5 years of use. The Kestrel 7000 Environmental Monitoring Meter solves this issue with its user-replaceable relative humidity sensor, making it a durable and portable alternative for long-term field use.

The Kestrel 7000 combines advanced environmental monitoring capabilities with rugged construction and easy portability. This makes it ideal for dog wardens who need to quickly assess kennel conditions during inspections or adapt to different monitoring setups. The replaceable sensor ensures ongoing accuracy, even in high-humidity environments, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

kestrel 7000

Ensuring Canine Safety and Compliance

Dog wardens use the data from Kestrel DROPs and the Kestrel 7000 to identify safety issues and enforce compliance. Key benefits include:

  • Monitoring critical conditions: Continuous tracking of temperature, humidity, and heat index ensures dogs are protected during extreme weather.
  • Improving equipment performance: Data helps kennel operators identify when additional cooling or dehumidifying equipment is needed.
  • Supporting proactive improvements: By sharing data with kennel owners, wardens encourage collaboration and preventive measures.
  • Backing regulatory actions: Long-term data collection supports patterns of non-compliance, which may lead to required equipment upgrades or certifications.

A Better Future for Pennsylvania's Breeding Dogs

With the integration of the Kestrel 7000 and DROPs, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement has strengthened its ability to safeguard canine welfare. These tools empower dog wardens to enforce regulations effectively, protect dogs during extreme weather, and support kennel operators in maintaining safe, compliant facilities.