With cold winter weather starting to settle in, the B.C. Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is urging pet owners to take the precautions needed to keep four-legged friends warm and safe.
Some cold weather safety tips from the BCSPCA:
Make sure you thoroughly clean the pads of your pet's paws after they've walked on sidewalks or roads to remove any coarse salt that can cause irritation. For your own sidewalk, choose a pet-friendly, non-corrosive de-icing compound readily available through retail outlets;
Use pet-safe propylene-based antifreeze instead of ethylene glycol antifreeze, which is toxic to pets and wildlife. A tablespoon of ethylene glycol antifreeze can kill a cat or small dog;
"Think and Thump" before starting your car. Cats and wildlife gravitate to warm engines during cold weather. Banging on the hood before getting into your car can avoid a tragic ending for an animal seeking refuge from the cold;
The SPCA is vehemently opposed to keeping pets permanently outdoors and strongly urges pet guardians to keep animals inside during cold weather. However, if domestic or farm animals are kept outside, ensure they have access to shelter that is: off the ground; provides protection from wind, cold and dampness; and is properly insulated. Regular checks to ensure drinking water has not frozen over are also a must;
Every community has many abandoned and free-roaming cats who are forced to fend for themselves. The struggle for survival becomes even more desperate when temperatures drop below freezing. Ensure your own cat is protected from the elements and be on the look-out for abandoned cats who need shelter, food, water or medical help.
