Humane Society of Elmore County News
Rea Cord
Executive Director
We have written often about protecting pets and livestock from cold weather but all of the rain we have had causes even more issues. All this rain makes the ground soft so much easier for intrepid dogs to dig under and out of fences. It takes very little time for a dog to dig a huge hole it can wriggle under to go explore. So. walk your entire fence lines for areas that will invite your dog to dig and take corrective measures BEFORE your dog escapes.
The recent storms added high winds to the rain and has greatly increased tree falls. Many times these falling trees also take out fencing for both dog and livestock alike. Old wood fence posts rot over time and long periods of wet weather can accelerate their demise. Horses or cattle leaning on or over fencing can push over old fence and fence posts when the ground is soft. Livestock and pet owners should walk/check fence lines often this time of year to look for downed trees and failing fences. Loose livestock can endanger the public, as well as the livestock, so let’s keep them safely fenced at home.
Dogs that are kept in pens or small fenced areas (or tied) can end up living in a nasty mix of water, urine and poop which is not only cruel but unhealthy. Of course, the best answer is for them to have a large, fenced yard so that, when not in the house with their family, they can seek out the driest areas as they choose. But, no matter, there is no excuse for leaving an animal in deplorable conditions – bring the pet inside the house, move the pen/fenced area to a dry area, and make sure your pet has appropriate and adequate shelter so they can get out of the inclement weather and stay dry. And make sure outside pets have DRY bedding in their houses! With the wind and rain, blanket type bedding gets soaked, even inside dog houses, so check it and remove wet bedding as how would you like to sleep on wet bedding in 30-degree temps at night!
And while livestock can withstand a lot of bad weather, if they are subjected to prolonged exposure to wet and mud, they can develop infections in their ‘hooves’ that can cause pain and lameness. Prolonged wet coats can also result in ‘rain rot’ so being able to get in Shelter where they can dry, plus a really good brushing to remove old, dead coat can go a long way in your horse, donkey, goat, etc maintain their warmth even in the worst weather.
There may not be any law requiring shelter for livestock, but your animals will be healthier and live longer if they can get out of the elements as they want. But there are Sheltering requirements for our dogs so that they can be protected from the elements – suffice to say, four solid sides, top and a floor off the ground so that no running water can get inside the Shelter and so they can be protected from wind and rain. Easiest way to keep everyone happy is to bring your pets inside and, if you do not have a barn, give livestock well-situated run-in sheds they can access to get out of the weather as they choose – they will appreciate it.
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
