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Cold Weather Warning
The ASPCA Issues Cold Weather Warning to Pet
Owners
Thursday January 15, 2004
Make Sure Your Companion Animal is Safe During These
Cold Months.
Contact:
Media Relations
(212) 876-7700 ext. 4655
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(New York, NY)
January 15, 2004 -- As temperatures continue to plummet below zero, the
ASPCA is urging pet owners to take precautions and keep their companion
animals safe in the bitter cold:
- Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, cats can freeze,
become lost or be stolen, injured or killed.
- 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.
Before starting the engine, bang loudly on the car hood 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 they always wear I.D. 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 chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads
may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.
- Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat
or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck that covers the dog from the
base of the tail on top to the belly underneath. While this may seem
like a luxury, it is a necessity for many dogs.
- 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. The animal can freeze to death. If your dog is sensitive to
the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to
relieve himself.
- Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult
dogs and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If necessary,
paper train your puppy inside if he appears to be sensitive to the
weather.
- If your dog spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor
activities, increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep
his fur thick and healthy.
- Antifreeze, even in very tiny doses is a lethal
poison for dogs and cats. Unfortunately, because of its sweet taste,
animals are attracted to it. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills
from your vehicle. To prevent accidental poisoning; more and more people
are using animal friendly products that contain propylene glycol rather
than traditional products containing ethylene glycol. Call your
veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-4ANI-HELP)
if you suspect your animal has been poisoned.
For more information, visit
www.aspca.org
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Founded in 1866, the
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was the
first humane organization established in the Western Hemisphere and exists
to promote humane principles, prevent cruelty and alleviate pain, fear and
suffering in animals. 740,000 members and donors support our mission. The
ASPCA provides national programming and leadership in humane education and
public awareness, government affairs and public policy, shelter support,
animal placement, animal medical services and poison control services.
While there is no direct reporting relationship with other SPCA’s, the
ASPCA National Shelter Outreach department provides extensive assistance
and support to shelters nationwide. The New York City headquarters houses
a full-service animal hospital, animal behavior center, adoption facility,
and Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) Department, which is responsible for
enforcing New York's animal cruelty laws. The original reality series
Animal Precinct, airing on the Animal Planet network, chronicles the work
of the ASPCA’s HLE agents as they investigate cases of animal cruelty.
Now in its third season, the award-winning documentary is seen by
millions of viewers nationally. The ASPCA is a privately funded 501 [c]
[3] not-for-profit corporation. For more information, visit
www.aspca.org or our online adoption
partner www.petfinder.com. (08/03)
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