As the winter months carry on and temperatures drop, people struggle to stay warm. We bundle up in layers of jackets, huddle around the fireplace and most importantly stay indoors. Sometimes, while trying to keep ourselves warm, our pets are overlooked. The ASPCA states, “Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside.”
Not only is it cruel to leave animals to freeze in the cold, it can also result in criminal charges depending on state laws. In an article on Today.com, there’s a story of a dog who was left in a crate outside Detroit’s no-kill animal shelter. The dog froze to death overnight in temperatures that reached below zero. This is just one of many stories of pets being neglected in the cold.
If an animal is found in the cold, there are some tips that can be used to help them. While it is illegal to steal a pet, offering to keep them temporarily or calling law enforcement or an animal shelter can save a life.
More tips can be found at: https://www.today.com/pets/how-help-dogs-cats-left-out-freezing-cold-weather-t120812 and https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cold-weather-safety-tips
by Kristen Feraci
