SPCA advises bringing pets indoors
As temperatures drop each night the SPCA for Monterey County advises pet owners to bring animals indoors, and tonight those temperatures will be getting pretty chilly once again. A good rule of thumb, according to the SPCA, is if we aren’t acclimated to the temperature then our pets aren’t either. And lately it has been cold, which is why your encouraged to bring pets inside at night, and take extra precautions during the day.
We’ve heard all week long about how cold it will be.
But how cold is too cold when talking about our pets?
“So anything that is too cold for us is too cold for our pets as well. Definitely use your best judgement,” said SPCA Education and Outreach Coordinator, Dawn Fenton.
For Salinas resident Breeze Young, the decision is easy.
“When it’s cold out especially night. I put her under the covers. She likes to get toasty warm. She’ll curl up and put her body against mine,” said Breeze Young.
Young says when they do go outside, she tries to limit her dog Theresa’s exposure to the cold.
“When we go outside, we don’t usually stay out very long because I have not found a sweater or jacket or something to fit her,” said Young.
And If your dog can’t be inside like Theresa, the SPCA says there are extra precautions you should take.
“Make sure that their water sources don’t freeze over. You want to make sure that they have shelter. Maybe a few extra blankets so they have something to snuggle up on if they need to,” said Fenton.
Another tip….
“Make sure in the morning you give your hood a knock and make sure there’s not a cat trying to hang out in there and keep warm,” said Fenton.
With forecasted weekend lows expected to be in the 30’s, Young and Theresa will wait out the cold from the warmth of their home.
“I would never ever put a dog outside to sleep and stay outside. Shes just the best thing to ever happen to me,” said Young.
If you do see an animal out in the cold and are worried, you’re encouraged to call the SPCA.
The SPCA for Monterey County has more tips for pet owners on their website, http://www.spcamc.org/brrr-remember-to-keep-pets-warm-during-chilly-spells/
