With below-freezing temperatures expected to continue into next week and the possibility of 6-15 inches of snow, no one wants to be outside when it’s cold, including our pets.
“Bring outdoor dogs and cats inside until temperatures warm consistently. Animals left in the cold can develop frostbite, hypothermia, and other fatal cold-related conditions,” said Sheri Ashford, adoptions coordinator for Baby Gunn’s Animal Rescue.
While there is no law forbidding pets from living outside, pet owners must provide appropriate shelter, food, water, and care to the extent required to maintain the animal of a state of good health.
“If left outdoors, dogs and cats can freeze, become disoriented, get lost, be stolen, become injured, or even die. If you’re able to take the animal in and give it a warm, safe shelter, do so. If you have pets already that won’t take well to an impromptu addition, you can still provide a makeshift shelter by using an old box and some towels and/or straw for warmth while you wait for space in a safe shelter to open.”
Baby Gunn’s Animal Rescue offers the following tips for pet safety:
– Decrease time spent outdoors. When you need to go outside, consider using protective animal gear like coats and boots.
– Bring out the blankets. Even when indoors, some animals will need added warmth. Offer blankets and warm sleeping options to keep pets safe.
– Be cautious of fireplaces and heaters. Keep animals away from fire hazards you might use indoors during especially cold days and nights.
– If it’s too cold for you to be outside, odds are that it is too cold for an animal.
– Did you know that animals burn more calories in the winter to stay warm? Try feeding your animals a little more during the cold weather months to provide much-needed calories.
– Don’t forget to make sure there is plenty of freshwater for them to drink! Readily available clean water helps keep animals well-hydrated, which can prevent dry-skin issues that tend to pop up when colder weather is present.
– Check under the hood!! Your car engine doubles as a warm, dry place for small animals in the winter. Often, stray cats have been known to crawl under the hoods of cars to sleep. It’s important that you make a ruckus before getting in and cranking up, potentially killing any animals under the hood. Before you get in the car, bang against the hood to try and scare anything underneath it away
If you have concerns for an animal outside, contact local law enforcement.
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