Date: March 27, 2009
Contact: Don Henry, Manager, Environmental Services
: (316) 268-8351

Animal owners should be reminded to give special attention to pets and outdoor animals during the winter storm.   Precautions include

• Keep animals indoors during extreme cold and severe winter storms if possible. Short haired and very young animals are especially susceptible to cold weather.
• Outdoor animals should be housed in weather proof shelters.
• A dog shelter should be insulated in case of extreme cold. When temperatures are below 40 degrees, plenty of bedding material should be provided, such as straw or cedar shavings.
• Entrances to dog houses and animal shelters should face the south during the winter.
• The entrance to dog shelters should be protected by an overhanging roof to prevent rain and snow from entering the shelter.
• Make sure animals have plenty of food and water.  Dogs tend to eat more during cold weather.  Drinking water should be checked frequently and changed as often as necessary to provide plenty of water during freezing temperatures.
• Use caution when walking dogs during freezing weather because they can slip on the ice.

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