Extreme Weather Alert
It’s officially the winter season here in Texas, and although the super cold days are few and far between, a freeze can creep upon us quickly and it’s important that we are prepared to keep our furry friends safe!
Follow these tips to keep pets, strays, and wildlife safe & warm during extreme winter weather.
KEEP PETS INDOORS
If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pet. Keep dogs, cats, and other companion animals inside as much as possible when temps dip near or below freezing.
Don’t leave pets alone in a cold car. Vehicles can act like refrigerators and lower dangerously fast.
In Texas, it's illegal to restrain a dog outside:
- with a chain
- with a restraint that has weights attached
- with no shelter or drinkable water
- during inclement weather: rain, snow, sleet, high winds, or temperatures below 32 degrees.
To report animal cruelty, abuse, neglect, or abandonment, please visit 927Paws.org or call 832-927-PAWS.
DESIGNATE A SAFE SPACE INSIDE
Place potty pads inside for pets who will have difficulty going outside in harsh conditions.
CREATE WARM SLEEPING AREAS
Provide a warm, draft-free bed off the floor with blankets. Even indoor pets benefit from extra cozy spots during cold spells.
If an outdoor space is unavoidable, make sure it’s sheltered from wind, elevated, and insulated with dry bedding like straw or cedar shavings. Important: Do not use hay! Hay holds moisture, which will cool an animal instead of warming them.
CLICK HERE and fill out Houston Humane Society's Dog House Application if you need assistance with dog housing this winter season.
PROTECT PAWS & KEEP THEM DRY
After walks or potty breaks, wipe feet and bellies to remove ice, salt, or chemicals that can irritate skin or be licked off.
Check for cracks, redness, or signs of discomfort in paw pads.
USE SWEATERS
Short-haired dogs appreciate the extra warmth!
PREPARE AHEAD
Plan for emergencies by having pet food, water, medications, and warm bedding ready in case of power outages or severe weather.
BEWARE OF CAR HAZARDS
Never leave a pet inside a car unattended, clean up lethal antifreeze leaks, & tap the hood of cars before starting them because cats and wildlife may hide in warm engine bays during cold weather.
DON'T FORGET THE STRAYS
Leave hay or straw outside to create a safe space for any stray furry friends to find shelter through extreme temperatures. Consider building a DIY winter shelter for community cats.
HOUSING FOR WILDLIFE
If you provide housing or shelter for outdoor cats, expect wildlife to also attempt to inhabit those spaces, especially if food is involved. Opossums and raccoons are the most frequent flyers to the outdoor buffet. If you're concerned about the local wildlife during a freeze, you can provide extra housing like you would for an outdoor cat.
WATER FOR STRAYS AND WILDLIFE
During hard freezes, wildlife struggle to find unfrozen water. Help by setting out a plastic dish of warm water with heated rocks at the bottom. Check and refresh it often. (Skip metal bowls - they transfer cold more quickly, causing water to freeze solid much quicker than plastic or ceramic.)
NO LIVE TRAPS
During hard freezes, do not use live traps, this goes for both wildlife and outdoor cats. Animals can get frostbite when left without shelter and cover from the wind chill/cold.
IF YOU FIND WILDLIFE FROZEN TO THE GROUND
Do not pull them off. This could lead to injury. Slowly pour warm water (not hot!) around the animal until it's free. Do not offer food or water. If you do come across injured wildlife needing help, please contain them in a secure container with a dry, soft clean cloth and use AnimalHelpNow.org to find the closest licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your area.
