Oh, the weather outside is frightful…especially if you are a stray cat or dog. Winter weather can take its toll on homeless animals. There are so many more hazards when the weather is inclement.
Outdoor domesticated animals need a higher caloric intake in the winter time to maintain the correct body temperature. So they are at risk for malnutrition or even starvation if they have limited or no food source. When their water sources freeze, strays can easily become dehydrated.
Stay animals are truly at risk for frostbite. When the temperature or wind-chill deeps into the freezing or subfreezing zone, their paws, toes, ears, tail and scrotum are areas of the body commonly affected. Hypothermia is another danger and can be fatal for strays. Very old and very young dogs and cats are most at risk as are short furred dogs.
Cats are known to seek out warm places in cold weather and will often climb inside of a car which still has a warm engine. If the cat is still there when the car start up again, severe injury or death will result.
Animals can become ill when they ingest the chemicals used to treat icy roads and sidewalks. Paw pads can become encrusted with snow and become injured. Without intervention, these injuries and illnesses can cause real harm. Animals also are attracted to the smell and taste of antifreeze which is highly toxic. If they happen upon an antifreeze spill, it could be deadly.
If you spot a stray dog or cat in your neighborhood, contact your animal control officer by calling your local police department. Animal control will check it out and all strays from Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth are brought to the Potter League. The Potter League is a warm, safe haven for stray dogs and cats who otherwise might not make it through the winter months.
P.S. Never let your dog off the leash during the winter months especially in a snowstorm. They can easily lose their scent and become lost. More dogs are lost in the winter months than any other time of the year.