From the Shelter. . .
It's getting about that time again! Feel the nip in the air? The kids are all back in school and it's time to start thinking about some changes for pets to make the cold a little easier on them.
Top Ten Cold Weather Tips
Protect your pets when the mercury dips
Brrrr…it’s cold outside! The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips.
- Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.
- During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.
- Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.
- Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.
- Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
- Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
- Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.
- Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.
- Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.
- Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
The McCook Humane Society could not function or run as smoothly as it does on
a daily basis without the help of some very special people... our volunteers. It
takes a special person willing to donate their time toward this good cause.
The shelter provides humane sheltering for stray, unwanted, abused and neglected animals. We are dedicated to finding good homes for adoptable pets and continue to promote responsible pet ownership.
We've got our Board Members that come help out whenever they can, we've got our volunteers that have been coming and helping out here some of them for years now. Then we have some folks that just come in to just help out when they can. We love and thank each and every one of these wonderful folks.
Recently, a local retired business
owner, came by for just that reason. Floyd Hershberger came in one morning and
asked if we could use some help. Before he left, he ended up walking some dogs
and even came back to mow the grass around the building! There are so many
things that folks can help with, and anyone can stop the shelter at 100 South
Street and find out just what they can do to help enrich their life while
enriching the lives of our animals.
Photos: Floyd Hershberger with Newt, a border collie/aussie mix pup from
the shelter.
Lorie L. Hoyt
Director, McCook Humane Society
The McCook Humane Society offers gift certificates good for a free dog or cat, puppy or kitten. What a wonderful way to show your loved one that you love them, by giving them the gift of unconditional love! We also offer a wide assortment of sweaters for that special new addition!
Several pet carriers have been loaned and not returned. If you have a carrier that is marked "McCook Humane Society" please return it. Or, if you have a carrier that you no longer need, donate it!