Keep your pets safe during the winter.
Suffolk County, NY - January 5, 2013 - Suffolk County SPCA Board of Directors: Roy Gross, Dr. Gerald Lauber, Herbert Kellner, William Wexler, Lois Gross.Keep your pets indoors during freezing temperatures. If left unattended outdoors they can get frostbite or become disorientated and freeze to death.
If your dog, livestock or any other pet lives outside in a dog house, shed, or barn and can not be taken into your home. provide smaller adequate shelters with increased insulation and doors.
Always remember babies and seniors are more sensitive to extreme temperatures just like humans.
Always remember a fresh water source is vital to sustaining life. Water bowls and troughs will freeze rapidly as the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and require replenishing or breaking of the ice to expose fresh water.
Always increase their feeding amount to provide more needed fueling calories to keep warm.
Always bang the hood of your car before starting the engine. It is very common for cats to seek shelter and the warmth of an engine. When the engine is started it can be injured or killed by the fan belt.
Always wipe your pets feet and undercarriage thoroughly as to avoid rock salt, antifreeze, or other toxic chemicals ingestion.
Always clean up spilled antifreeze (Ethylene glycol) immediately. Pets are attracted to and will ingest it due to its sweet flavor. It is highly lethal to kidneys of all species and causes agonizing death.
- Try to use animal friendly products made with propylene glycol as it is non toxic and works just as well as it's toxic cousin ethylene glycol.
Never shave your dog or cat during the winter as the hair coat is vital to keeping them warm.
Never bath your pet and take outside before they are 100% completely dry to prevent Hypothermia.
- If you have a short hair breed consider clothing or a properly fitted jacket.
Never let your pet off a leash on snow or ice in a snowstorm/ice storm.
- Pets can lose their scent and become disorientated and get lost. Fact... more pets are lost in the Winter then any other season in the Northeast.
- Active pets are more prone to slipping and injuring their legs or fracturing their teeth
It's Extremely important to keep your pets and livestock safe and healthy during the winter season. The extreme cold can have adverse effects on your pets or your livestock's health, so take precautionary measures to prevent undue pain and suffering.
In the event an animal becomes ill as a result of exposure contact a veterinarian immediately as they are highly skilled and trained to deal with these situations.
Dr John J. Charos is a lead Veterinary investigator/ adviser to the SCSPCA and is the CEO for Central Veterinary Associates and its network of animal hospitals.
Advisory Board: Sheriff Vincent DeMarco, Ret. Police Commissioner John Gallagher, Wendy Diamond.
Veterinary Advisory Board: Dr. John Charos, Dr. Dennis Dougherty, Dr. Barbara Kalvig, Dr. Michael Shorter.
About The Suffolk County SPCA
The Suffolk County SPCA is a 501(c)(3) volunteer agency consisting of over sixty non-paid individuals from all walks of life. Our peace officers are both active and retired law enforcement personnel who enforce the New York State Agriculture and Market Law with regard to the prevention of mistreatment and cruelty to animals.
The Suffolk County SPCA is funded entirely by charitable donations. Our existence depends upon your generosity, as we do not receive funds from the State. Your gifts to us are tax deductible.
Suffolk County SPCA Board of Directors: Roy Gross, Dr. Gerald Lauber, Herbert Kellner, William Wexler, Lois Gross.
Advisory Board: Sheriff Vincent DeMarco, Ret. Police Commissioner John Gallagher, Wendy Diamond.
Veterinary Advisory Board: Dr. John Charos, Dr. Dennis Dougherty, Dr. Barbara Kalvig, Dr. Michael Shorter.
