Humane Society of Elmore County News
Rea Cord
Executive Director
Winter is definitely here in Alabama this week and we implore pet owners all over to please bring your pets inside. For those that must stay outside please make sure they have shelter and protection from the cold, wind and rain. We have certainly had our share of rain and please think of how miserable you would be if you had to stay outside in wet clothes! Cold air can also very dry (just think of your chapped lips) and livestock and pets need more water than you think in the winter.
Just like us, animals also need shelter from wind, rain/snow since wind chill affects animals just like it does us humans. A doghouse (meaning solid sides, top and floor) needs to be located so the wind doesn’t blast straight into it and also sized for the dog so that the dog’s body heat can build inside to keep your pet even warmer. DRY bedding is essential so please check the bedding often to make sure it isn’t wet, or even missing. A wet blanket, or moldy pile of hay, or hard piece of plastic does nothing to help your pet deal with the cold so just don’t think because your dog has a plastic igloo that they can ‘handle’ this weather – if you think that, we suggest you try spending the night in that igloo yourself.
Please also take your pet’s age and health into account as young, healthy animals can handle inclement weather a lot better than older animals. An older horse might need to be blanketed in cold weather and an older dog with arthritis may need much thicker bedding to cushion aching joints and tired muscles. More frequent brushing to remove dead hair & dirt will also help your pet stay warm as a clean coat will provide better insulation against the weather. Yes, there are breeds more acclimated to cold weather and they might be loving this weather but far more of our southern pets are NOT used to this weather and need appropriate protection from the cold.
If the water for your outside pets/livestock is freezing/frozen that is easy to fix. Just go to your local feed store, pet store or on-line where you can get in-tank water heaters/heated water buckets pretty inexpensively. They do need to be plugged in (can run a long outdoor extension cord if need be but make sure it is safe and cannot be chewed on or pulled out by pets/livestock) work great and are quite safe. This can save your muscles from hauling water and your pets/livestock will have clear fresh water no matter how low the temps go. Now the water ‘source’ like the stand-pipe/faucet can freeze and there is heat tape or even heated hoses but here in our area, generally, if your pets/livestock have a large tank of water that is kept from freezing, the daytime higher temps and sun will thaw out the hose/pipe/faucet so it can refill.
If you are worried about an animal that does not have appropriate shelter, is not being cared for, or seems to be a stray, please contact the appropriate Animal Control Officer/Law Enforcement so they can investigate.
Rea Cord, M.S.
Executive Director
Humane Society of Elmore County
255 Central Plank Rd
Wetumpka, AL 36092
Ph: 334/567-3377
Fax: 334/567-8774
Email: hselco@bellsouth.net
Website: www.elmorehumane.org
