Urgent Appeal: Protect Pets from the Carolinas' Extreme Cold

Tonight marks one of the coldest nights the Carolinas have seen in a long time. As the temperatures plummet, it is an urgent matter of safety to bring your pets inside. Leaving dogs and cats outdoors in freezing temperatures puts them at immediate risk of hypothermia and frostbite.

Here’s how to keep your pet safe:

Bring them inside. This is the safest and best option for all pets.
No indoor access? Use the garage. If you can’t bring them into your living space, the garage offers essential protection from the wind and elements.
Provide proper outdoor shelter. For pets who must be outside, a proper shelter is critical. It must be covered, off the ground, and have a flap over the entry.
Insulate their shelter. Fill the shelter with fresh blankets, cedar shavings, or straw to help retain body heat.
Feed them extra. Give your pets a little extra food to help them maintain their body heat.
Protect their water supply. Use a plastic water bowl to prevent their tongue from sticking to freezing metal. Check the water frequently to ensure it hasn’t frozen.
Special considerations for at-risk pets. Never leave puppies, small, elderly, or arthritic pets outdoors below 40 degrees. Their vulnerability to the cold is much higher.

Don’t let any pet freeze in the cold. Thank you for making a difference in an animal’s life tonight.

We provide Daily Dog Walking and Vacation Pet Sitting for domestic, exotic and farm animals the following areas of Charlotte: The Arboretum, Ballantyne, Brandon Oaks, Concord, Harrisburg, Hemby Bridge, Highland Creek, Northeast/Southeast Charlotte, NC, Indian Land, Kannapolis, Lake Park, Marvin, Matthews, Mint Hill, Monroe, Providence Estates East, Providence Plantation, Provincetowne, Stallings, Waxhaw, Weddington, and Wesley Chapel.