Home Opinion Editorials Don't forget pets during cold snap

Don't forget pets during cold snap

Written by Observer editorial reports December 18, 2008 04:19 pm

With the temperature dipping down to zero degrees or below at night and the daytime highs staying in the single digits and teens, it’s a struggle for everyone to keep warm. But with furnaces, heaters and wood stoves, at least we have the opportunity to do so, even if it’s a struggle financially for a few weeks.

Such is not the case with pets, though. Their ability to survive these extreme temperatures is up to their owners.

In the past couple of days The Observer has received phone calls from people urging us to remind everyone to take care of their four-legged friends when temperatures drop to the point where they’ve been the past few days — to properly shelter, feed and water them. One caller even asked us to tell people to think about their dogs’ welfare when they put the animals in the back of a pickup when temperatures are so cold. The wind chill factor is significant.

The calls, and a press release from the Wallowa County Humane Society, serve as good reminders for all of us to think about the welfare of our animals during these cold, cold days and nights. It’s been a few years since the temperature has dipped this low for an extended time.

Dogs, cats and other companion animals are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia just like humans are. “Heat pads, heat lamps and heated water bowls can make the difference between life and death at times when temperatures drop below zero,’’ the Humane Society press release said. “Bringing pets into the garage or the house can be life-saving for them.’’

Some animals are more conditioned to temperature extremes, but all need access to water. Frozen water sources don’t provide that.

Livestock, as we all know, are more suited to temperature extremes than domesticated pets. But again, access to running water or heated water tanks is essential. Also, extra feed is recommended because animals use more energy to stay warm when the temperatures are as cold as they have been.

Doing the right thing by our animals isn’t always easy in an economy where just putting food on the table, or paying rent, is a challenge. But we must try. For those who just can’t find a way, local organizations can offer help. In Wallowa County, call the Humane Society at 426-0360. In Union County, call the Blue Mountain Humane Association at 963-0807.