NEWS
Watchdog uneasy about animals on cold
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by Jacquelyn Ryberg
Friday, February 1, 2008
Bitterly cold temperatures and extreme winds this winter not
only cause agony for humans, but such conditions also lead to safety concerns
regarding household pets and stray animals, People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals said this week.
“We are certainly being inundated with complaints about
animals being left to fend for themselves,” said Stephanie Bell, senior cruelty
caseworker for PETA.
Although animals have thick fur coats, Bell said, they too
can suffer adverse effects from being subjected to harsh environmental
conditions.
“Animals can suffer from frostbite and dehydration, often
because water sources freeze,” she added.
Gayle Viney, public relations coordinator for the Dane
County Humane Society, said low temperatures can be as unpleasant and dangerous
for animals as humans.
Besides dangerous freezing temperatures, the effects of snow
and ice on an animal can be just as harmful.
“A big thing is that ice or salt can be really hard on a
dog’s paws and can cut them and hurt them,” Viney said.
According to Viney, owners should limit their time outside
with pets, and when they must take them out for short breaks, she recommends
using animal coats and booties.
“We advocate not allowing animals to run freely outdoors,”
Bell said. “We also strongly recommend increasing the amount animals are fed in
winter months because they burn more calories in the winter.”
Bell also said owners who must keep their animals outside
should take further precautions: “PETA recommends having animals live indoors.
If that is not an option, proper shelter should be provided.”
With regard to stray animals, Bell said PETA “encourages all
citizens to keep a close and vigilant eye out for stray animals in the
community, and if they find them to take unidentified animals from the streets
into their local animal shelters.”
Anonymous (February 2, 2008 @ 12:21am):
Why would Peta care about cold animals when according to Peta's official report to Virginia's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in 2006 they killed 97% of the animals they took in for adoption. Peta took in 3061 and killed 2,981 -- which means they only saved 12!
I call thet hypocricy!
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