Cold Weather Chills Pets - Animal Welfare Groups Urge Owners to take Extra Care of Animals
Like 1 Dislike 0 Published on 25 Nov 2010
Victoria -- A park covered in snow. It's fun for dogs for a short time. "They actually quite like it," said one woman walking her dogs, "but after an hour of being outside they want to go in by the fire."
Animal welfare groups say the cold can be dangerous for pets. A good rule of thumb, if it's too cold for you to be outside, it's probably too cold for your pets. The Victoria SPCA is working through a flurry of complaint calls. "Most are concerning dogs out on chains, without shelter in the cold, and frozen water bowls," says Erika Paul, Animal Protection Officer with the Victoria SPCA.
More than two dozen dog owners in the capital region have been warned to take better care of their canine companions during the cold snap. "To date, so far we've had compliance from everybody and they've either modified the shelters or brought the animals in," says Paul.
While it's cold all animals try to find a warm place to sleep. "Not only can you get cats under the hoods of cars to stay warm but wild animals too like raccoons and squirrels," says Victoria SPCA manager Penny Stone. To make sure there are no animals trying to stay warm under your car the SPCA suggests you bang on the hood of your car before starting it up.
Dogs, especially big ones, may seem more resistant to cold, but don't be fooled by the amount of fur. "Long-haired dogs, it's just as bad, because the ice, the snow and the cold gets up in them and they get wet and it freezes,"adds Stone.
Cool coats make for cozy canines. Woofles Barking Boutique is busy catering to the puppy proud. The store has been really busy since the cold weather began. Sales of dog coats with hoods have increased dramatically.
No matter how well dressed your dog may be check it over when you finish your walk. "When you take dogs out in this weather, when you get back, check their paws between the toes, underneath. Mmake sure there's no ice lodged in there. And you also want to clean them because you want to make sure there's no salt, antifreeze, anything they can lick off and be poisoned by," suggests Stone.
Advice worth taking over the next several days until the weather on Vancouver Island warms.