Thursday May 2, 2024
Local Connection
Weather
Traffic
@LouisvilleDispatch
@LouisvilleDisp
Subscribe
Since dogs and cats already have beautiful fur coats, it is easy to forget that they can suffer hypothermia, frost-bite, and other weather related injuries that people do. With the temperature dropping and lots of cold rain and/or snow already, it important to help your pet stay comfortable and safe throughout the winter season.
Here are some general tips to help you prepare for the coming cold weather:
- Puppies, kittens, and senior pets should not be left outside for any reason. Puppies and kittens are not fully developed and don’t have the ability to stand up to the colder temperatures yet. Senior pets are losing some of the natural defenses that they have and are more susceptible to the temperature as well.
- If you have outdoor cats, be cautious in starting your car. Many cats will climb under the hood of a car to stay warm. Knocking on your vehicle’s hood before you start it can let your pets know that it is time to vacate their hideout.
- Avoid shaving or cutting your pet’s hair short during the winter. If you don’t have a choice, consider purchasing a sweater for your pet. If you have a pet with short-hair and it appears to be sensitive to the cold, you may want to consider this as well.
- Anti-Freeze should be stored in a tightly closed container and kept away from pets. It is deadly.
- Wipe their feet off when they come inside. The salt or other de-icers used on your driveway or sidewalk can cause irritation to their paw pads.
- Keep your dog on a leash with a collar and ID tag at all times. The cold weather can mask a dog’s scent trail making it hard for them to find their way home if they get out.
- If you have an outside only pet – be sure their shelter is adequate. It is very important for the shelter to stay dry and draft free. Having a wet bed or wet fur will prevent your pet from regulating its body temperature. You should also make sure your pet has access to unfrozen water and you should increase their food intake.
- Keep your pet from chewing on your Christmas tree – both real and artificial. You should also think about what decorations are within reach of your pet. If you have a live tree, use a tree skirt to prevent your pet from drinking the water: some of the chemicals in the tree food are toxic. If you have a cat that likes to climb, be sure to anchor the tree so that it cannot topple over.
- Holly, poinsettias, mistletoe and many other common household plants are toxic to your pet. A list of some of the common toxic and non-toxic plants can be found on the ASPCA website.
These are just a few guidelines to help you ensure your pet’s safety during the winter months. More information can be found at the ASPCA, Pet WebMD, and PetSmart websites.
Temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing this weekend. For most of us, that means turning up the heat, bringing in our pets, and pulling out sweaters–but for the people who sleep on the streets of Louisville on winter nights, it can mean life or death. Natalie Harris, Executive Director of The Coalition for the Homeless, explains, “Every single night, there are more people in need than there are available beds, so hundreds of individuals and families are forced to find other options each year. Many times, this means sleeping on the streets.”
This is the second winter for The Coalition for the Homeless’s Bed One-Stop program, which just won the Center for Nonprofit Excellence’s Award for the Art of Social Innovation. Bed One-Stop offers homeless Louisvillians a centralized, uniform way to reserve a bed at any local emergency shelter. Even so, The Coalition has had to turn away over 1,350 people in the last two months due to not having enough available beds and there are currently 53 families on the program’s waiting list.
Fortunately, during inclement weather, Operation White Flag offers a better option. When temperatures drop to 35 degrees or lower in the winter (with or without wind chill), The Coalition for the Homeless activates Operation White Flag, and three local shelters generously open their doors to make space for everyone.
“Even without a bed for each person, through Operation White Flag, all people can get a warm, safe place to stay indoors to avoid frostbite or hypothermia. We encourage all homeless people to take advantage of this opportunity,” says Harris. To make a bed reservation, call (502) 637-BEDS (502-637-2337).
Operation White Flag is possible thanks to funding from Metro Government and the hospitality of three local shelters–Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul (for men only), and Wayside Christian Mission. Unfortunately, though, the program costs more than can be covered by this funding. But, a donation of just $35 will provide a warm place for one homeless person to stay for one week during the coldest weather. Donate online at The Coalition for the Homeless’s website, www.louhomeless.org, by sending a check to The Coalition for the Homeless at 1300 S. 4th Street, Suite 250, Louisville, KY 40208, or by calling (502) 636-9550.
