Austin Pets Alive! | Christmas Week Chilly Emergency in Austin

Dec 19, 2022

Harmful winter climate with temperature lows within the teenagers is predicted to hit Central Texas this week. With a few of our animal enclosures uncovered to the weather, temperatures this low severely pressure our facility so we should get our City Lake Animal Heart shelter pets in heat properties by THIS THURSDAY. We’re calling on our neighborhood members for assist wanted NOW:

1. Foster properties for chilly shelter animals
   We’d like our animals, particularly our canine, out now, earlier than the coldest climate hits Thursday. With Christmas week/vacation journey, we anticipate will probably be very tough to search out fosters so if you’re staying within the Austin space your assistance is urgently wanted. E-mail [email protected] or come to our City Lake Animal Heart location (1156 W Cesar Chavez St.) between noon-6pm to foster. We do ask that you just preserve them in your house till not less than Monday, December twenty sixth.

2. Provides or financial donations
   With facility and further useful resource must deal with this emergency, we’re looking for financial donations now. Click on right here to make a present to assist fund our response and operations. We additionally want folks to donate any of the next provides by bringing them this week to our City Lake location. (Drop off in entrance of constructing C.) A few of these shall be despatched to the neighboring shelters we help as effectively.

   • Medium and enormous pop up crates, x-pens

   • Canine and cat meals for neighborhood outreach/help

   • Cat litter 

   • Leashes (flat)

   • Used coolers 

   • Lansinoh bottles

   • Canine beds (for neighborhood help)

   • Canine treats 

3. Different assist for shelters we help
   Many neighboring cities’ animals are additionally in danger throughout climate emergencies like this, and are sometimes far much less resourced than Austin. We’re additionally asking for assist getting the next pressing wants met for these shelters this week (listing will replace as we obtain requests for assist):

   • The Metropolis of Devine Animal Shelter wants an adopter or foster for the animals right here, particularly puppies.

   • San Benito wants and adopter or foster for a cat and their canine right here. 

4. Schooling and assist for neighborhood pets
   Learn and share this guidelines to guard pets the place you’re.

• Deliver pets inside. The very best factor you are able to do on your pet is to convey them inside with you. Whereas some breeds of canine are extra tolerant of chilly climate than others, no pet ought to be left exterior for lengthy intervals of time when it’s under freezing (32ºF). You realize your pet finest, so be vigilant about expecting indicators of their chilly tolerance and restrict outside actions accordingly.

• Verify your automotive for cats. Our feline pals like to cover from this climate in automotive engines and/or wheel wells, so thump the hood of your automotive just a few instances and verify your wheels for stowaways earlier than you begin the engine and take off.

• Present a makeshift enclosure for outside animals. If you happen to’ve seen outside cats or different animals in your neighborhood affected by the chilly (shaking, curled up, and so on.) and you’re fearful about them, create a makeshift shelter for them to remain heat in. A closed field or Rubbermaid bin with a minimize out within the aspect, with straw or mylar blankets (cloth can maintain moisture and freeze over so we now not advocate utilizing towels or blankets), will assist preserve them secure within the frigid temperatures. Click on right here for instance instructions for cat shelters from Alley Cat Advocates and click on right here for extra on what to do for canine within the chilly from Greatest Pals.

• Or take into account opening your storage barely (and leaving a heating pad or warmth lamp on) to let cats in from the chilly.

• Put a sweater in your pup. You probably have a canine with a brief coat, you’ll be able to preserve them a bit extra insulated by placing a sweater or canine coat on them. Ensure the sweater and coat are fully dry for every outing, although, as damp or moist outerwear may truly make them chillier.

• Verify paws. After outside exercise, verify your pet’s paws for any indicators of cracking on the paw pads, redness between toes, or bleeding. Wipe them down after every outing, too, to take away any salt, ice, or chemical compounds.

For metropolis details about chilly climate shelters and warming facilities, go to www.austintexas.gov/alerts.

Need assistance with a neighborhood pet? E-mail [email protected]. P.A.S.S. connects you to neighborhood member help for emergency pet meals, pet useful resource help, and different emergency pet assist.