LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — Tim Obrien says he has always loved animals, and growing up on a farm helped him learn how to take care of them.

What You Need To Know

Freezing temperatures threaten the safety of pets kept outside

Helping Animals to Survive, HATS, is a Lincoln County volunteer-run organization

Volunteers say it's best to bring pets indoors during cold weather, but if thats not possible, keeping bedding, hay and a covered shelter is best

Water also freezes during cold nights, so keep a heated bowl for dogs to drink fresh water

Right now, Obrien has eight dogs and says it's impossible to pick a favorite.  

Obrien and his wife are both part of the Lincoln County group Helping Animals to Survive, HATS. The group originally began as an effort to convert the Lincoln County Animal Shelter into a no kill shelter.

They succeeded in July of 2018. 

Now, the volunteers work to raise awareness about pet safety and best practices for owners. 

“It's heartbreaking to see dogs living on a chain with zero shelter, zero bedding, no compassion," Obrien, president of HATS, said.

During these hard winter days, when temperatures are dropping to below zero, Obrien suggests bringing your pets indoors. 

But he says he understands that's not always possible. 

Obrien offers the following tips for keeping your pets safe during winter days:

• Keep a bedding for your animal and use hay instead of blankets
• The shelter should be covered with a roof or tarp to keep snow and ice away from your pet
• Keep a bowl of water over a warming pad as the water bowl will freeze during cold nights and pets could dehydrate
• Don't let dogs eat the snow, it dehydrates them
• If you have a heat lamp, make sure it is away from the bedding to prevent a possible fire

“We don’t want people using blankets, towels, especially if they are outside in the cold. It can get wet in freezing conditions," Obrien said. 

HATS does take donations and hosts adoption events every weekend.