Cold weather care tips for your dog
We may not have had snow on Christmas, but the winter weather has finally made its appearance. With days of temperatures below zero and the windchill factors at 15 below, the number of dog walkers passing outside our living room window is pretty sparse. We are in the midst of winter weather in Illinois. It's cold outside. Our companion animals need extra precautions to stay safe and warm during the cold weather.
The HSUS, ASPCA and AVMA offer cold weather safety guidelines to help us protect our animals during the freezing days of winter. The happiest dogs are those who go outside frequently, but briefly, and stay inside the rest of the time.
Leave your pets at home. Don't leave them unattended in the car in the cold weather. Your car acts as a refrigerator, rapidly chilling your pet and causing them to freeze to death.
More dogs are lost during the winter than in any other season, so make sure your dog always wears ID tags and/or is microchipped. Never let your dog off leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm, since dogs can lose their scent and easily get lost.
When walking your dog, stay away from frozen ponds, lakes and other water. The ice may not support your dog's weight and if your dog breaks through the ice, it could be deadly.
Watch for signs of hypothermia while you are outside with your pet. If he is whining, shivering, seems anxious, slows down or stops moving, seems weak or starts looking for warm places to burrow, get them back inside. They are showing signs of hypothermia. Frostbite is harder to detect and may not be recognized until a few days after the damage is done. If you suspect your animal has hypothermia or frostbite, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Don't leave your dogs and cats outside. Wind chill can threaten the lives of our companion animals, no matter what the temperature. It's a mistaken belief dogs and cats are more resistant to cold weather than people because of their fur. Like people, dogs and cats are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept indoors. Longer-haired and thick-coated breeds, such as huskies, and other dogs bred for colder climates are more tolerant of the cold weather, but no pet should be left outside for long-periods of time in below-freezing weather. (Nor should animals be left outside in the summer heat. Heat stroke is a common cause of dog deaths in the summer.)
As we protect our companion animals, we also need to be aware of other pets left out in the cold weather.
"One of the most common forms of animal cruelty, cases of animals left outside in dangerous weather, are investigated more by police and animal control agencies than any other form of animal abuse," states the HSUS.
Without proper shelter, food and water, the chances of dogs and cats surviving in frigid temperatures is greatly decreased. It's a misconception that the fur on their backs will insulate them from suffering. Pets left outside in extreme temperatures, especially without shelter and food, are at risk of hypothermia, frostbite and even death.
Our state legislators are aware of the dangers of our pets being left outside in extreme weather. As a result of legislation signed by Governor Bruce Rauner, it's now a Class A Misdemeanor to leave animals outside in extreme temperatures in Illinois. If a pet is hurt or dies as a result of being left out in extreme weather, a pet owner can be punished by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. This legislation took effect Jan. 1, 2016.
The HSUS suggests the following actions to take to help a pet left outside in extreme temperatures.
Report what you see: Take note of the date, time, exact location and the type of animal involved. Write down as many details as possible about the situation. Video and photographic documentation, including cellphone photos, of the animal, the location, the surrounding area etc., will help bolster your case. Contact your local animal control or local law enforcement agency, and present your complaint, concerns and evidence.
Neglect is a crime. "Especially in these cold months, it is important for people to bring their pets inside and for others to report neglected animals to law enforcement," says Ashley Mauceri, HSUS manager for cruelty response.
It's cold outside. Let's keep all of our animals warm and safe inside the house.
Happy Birthday Buddy
In February, 2016, The Buddy Foundation turns 21. Join us on Thursday, Feb. 25, at DRINK, 871, E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, for Buddy's 21st Birthday Party. This year "Buddy Celebrates America" by honoring our veterans and servicemen. Those on active duty will be our guest with free admission.
For $30 ($35 at the door) you'll indulge in a buffet, birthday cake and two drink tickets. The evening promises a fast-paced raffle and auction along with music and entertainment. Join us and bring a friend. Come and wish us a happy birthday. Call The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806 for more information.
Remember, these events are the only ways of raising money for the shelter. We receive no state nor local subsidies of any kind. All donations go directly to assist the animals at Buddy. There are no salaries, no paid staff. Everyone is a volunteer.
• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.