Pet Safety Ahead of Extreme Cold
HSPPR reminds pet owners to keep pets safe
December 21, 2022 Colorado Springs, CO- With warning signs of extremely low temperatures impending, the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) asks pet owners to prepare for the weather and keep their pets safe.
The most important winter safety tip is to not leave your pets outside in the cold. Cold weather can pose a risk to your pets and below are some additional tips to keep in mind for the winter:
- Keep pets sheltered. Bring your pets indoors during the extreme cold.
Bundle up and wipe down. Consider getting a sweater or coat for your pet and keep it dry. When coming back inside, make sure to wipe off your pet’s legs and stomach to get all the ice, snow, and even salt off them.
Remove common poisons. Antifreeze is poisonous to cats, dogs, and wildlife, so make sure to clean up any spills and keep them out of reach.
Know their limits. Cold tolerance in animals varies just like in humans. Pay attention to your pets’ tolerance based on their behavior, physical features, and health.
Keep your digits current. It’s always important to have your pet’s microchip and tag information updated in case they get lost. Snow can make it harder for them to find their way back, so make sure the information is current.
If you have concerns about the conditions a pet is being kept in, please call Animal Law Enforcement at 719-302-8798.
“If someone suspects an animal is being neglected or is in danger due to cold weather, we encourage them to contact Animal Law Enforcement immediately,” says Jamie Norris, Director of Animal Law Enforcement. “We receive a high number of calls when winter weather strikes, so thank you in advance for your patience. We are committed to keeping the pets in our community safe and will work as quickly as possible to help when called.”
Here are a few things to be think about that will greatly help us prioritize and handle each call correctly:
- What is the address of the pet?
How long has the pet been outside?
Do you see any shelter for the pet?
How is the pet behaving?
