Protecting your animals during a winter storm

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Winter weather is expected to hit south-central Kentucky this weekend, and residents all across the region are getting prepared.

However, there is one group we shouldn’t forget about – our furry friends. The weather can hit the hard, especially if you have outdoor pets.

Temperatures dipping down well below freezing with snow and ice can create dangerous and even life-threatening conditions for animals. The best thing you can do for your animals is bring them inside, but if that is not possible, providing adequate outdoor housing can save your animal’s life.

“A Husky, of course, is going to enjoy this weather a lot more than a Chihuahua is. Right, so a Chihuahua is not going to have as much, resilience against this type of weather as other breeds of animal are. But by and large, if the animal is not properly insulated, if it doesn’t have somewhere to escape those conditions, it doesn’t matter, even if it’s made for those conditions. You know, the the concern about their health and welfare is significant,” said Brad Schargorodski, City of Bowling Green division manager of animal safety.

Schargorodski says that cloth bedding is one of the worst insulators you can put in an outdoor shelter due to its ability to stay wet and keep the animal cold.

Instead use straw, which animal safety can give to you if you need.