How to keep your pets safe in wintry weather

AccuWeather

Lauree Simmons, with Big Dog Ranch Rescue, joins AccuWeather to discuss how to protect your pets if they're not used to the snow, as well as their efforts to save pets affected by the California wildfires.

Transcript

00:00With deadly wildfires in Southern California and the cold weather making its way across most of the Mid-South,

00:05millions of people are at risk, and their pets can be in danger in these situations as well.

00:10Yeah, Lori Simmons is the founder and CEO of Big Dog Ranch Rescue.

00:14Thank you so much for joining us again, Lori.

00:16Let's start things off with the situation in California.

00:19With so many people evacuating, what have you learned about the shelter situation for pets in Southern California?

00:26And I'm just noticing the cutie dog that you have with you.

00:31Yes, we've got Freckles with us today.

00:34We brought an entire busload of dogs and puppies down from our Alabama shelter.

00:42We have one in just outside of Auburn and Montgomery.

00:47And we cleared out space to make room for dogs that are in shelters that have no cover and no heat.

00:56So we made lots of spaces.

00:59So far today, we've had 27 new dogs come in that were out the cold.

01:06OK, so moving back to Texas in the Mid-South, speaking of the cold, with this unusual winter storm in these states,

01:12as far as how strong it is, how are pets at risk?

01:17Well, people don't realize that dogs that are not used to this kind of freezing temperatures,

01:24especially puppies and short-coated dogs, won't survive in single-digit temperatures more than 24 hours.

01:37Horses, their waters freeze. They have to have access to water.

01:42You know, dogs are fine outside in temperatures for short times,

01:47but literally won't survive if they're subject to freezing temperatures for more than 24 hours.

01:56And of course, a lot of our pets, you know, they like to have fun in the snow,

01:59like the video that you just saw on your screen there.

02:02But what do people need to be keeping in mind to keep their pets safe and healthy during,

02:07you know, these winter days of snow, cold and ice?

02:12Watch them closely. Don't leave them outside too long.

02:17Make sure you make accommodations to bring them in.

02:22If they are outside, make sure they have shelter from the cold, blankets, something to warm up, even hay.

02:31If you can't bring your dogs inside and cover from the elements

02:36and the wind, it can be life-saving for these pets.

02:42Absolutely. My mother-in-law has a Doberman and she got to see her first snowfall ever yesterday.

02:47And let's just say she was not a fan. Those short-haired dogs do not like the cold.

02:52But one thing I want to ask you now is what can people do to help you so you can help the pets?

02:59Well, please come foster a dog. Our Alabama facility in Shorter Alabama is at capacity

03:07and has over 650 dogs there. Big Dog Ranch down here in Florida.

03:15While we're not having freezing temperatures, we need to make room for dogs.

03:21We're actually heading out to California day after tomorrow to relieve shelter space for pets

03:30where people have lost their homes that are coming into shelter environments.

03:35And we need to make room for the strays and that have been turned loose during the fires

03:44or for people that have lost their homes have nowhere to keep their pets so that they have room in the shelter.

03:51So making space by taking out their dogs that are already in a shelter environment is a huge help.

03:59So by coming and fostering a dog, adopting a dog.

04:04Unfortunately, people don't realize it all comes down to space.

04:09When a shelter is full, they can't help. When we have open kennels, we can.

04:15OK, Lori Simmons with special guest star Freckles, founder and CEO of Dog Ranch Rescue.

04:21Thank you so much for joining us.

04:23Well, thank you so much for having us.

04:25And we pray every day for all the people that are suffering right now with weather or fires.

04:33And we also pray for the pets that that are in need.

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