BOONE, N.C. – The Watauga Humane society is asking for the public's help keeping animals safe this winter. The humane society says as temperatures drop, they expect to see even more animals be brought in due to cold.

 

What You Need To Know

  • If It's too cold for you, it's too cold for them

  • During winter months it is essential to bring animals indoors. If you cannot, you must provide a shelter and bedding for them outside

  • Dogs and cats can get frostbite and hypothermia

  • Salt is also a major issue for dogs


The shelter has already had kittens brought in and some malnourished puppies. The cold season is just beginning.

 

Administrative Assistant Alyssa Morgan says if it's too cold for you, it's too cold for them. While many people have outdoor animals, it is essential that during these winter months they have some sort of shelter.

Morgan says it is essential that the shelter have thick walls and bedding to help them stay out of the elements.

"Animal control will drop off igloos, those kennels are the best, like igloos something that has a little opening and thicker walls, maybe some wood chips on the ground or blankets. So if animal control gets a call about a dog and there is no shelter in sight or maybe its' a crate or underneath the porch or something that is not proper housing," says Morgan.

Morgan says most of the time they are able to educate pet owners and their pets will be able to stay but if not, they are taken to the shelter.

She says it is also important to remember that dogs, as well as cats, can get frostbite, hypothermia, and their paws can bleed from being burned by salt on the roadways.