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 Middle shelter pets in heat houses by THIS THURSDAY. We’re calling on our group members for assist wanted NOW:

1. Foster houses 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 in case you are staying within the Austin space your assistance is urgently wanted. Electronic mail [email protected] or come to our City Lake Animal Middle location (1156 W Cesar Chavez St.) between noon-6pm to foster. We do ask that you simply hold them in your house till at the least Monday, December twenty sixth.

2. Provides or financial donations
   With facility and additional 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 individuals 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 nicely.

   • Medium and huge pop up crates, x-pens

   • Canine and cat meals for group outreach/help

   • Cat litter 

   • Leashes (flat)

   • Used coolers 

   • Lansinoh bottles

   • Canine beds (for group 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 (record 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 group pets
   Learn and share this guidelines to guard pets the place you’re.

• Convey pets inside. One of the best factor you are able to do in your pet is to carry them inside with you. Whereas some breeds of canine are extra tolerant of chilly climate than others, no pet must be left outdoors for lengthy intervals of time when it’s beneath freezing (32ºF). You already know your pet finest, so be vigilant about waiting for indicators of their chilly tolerance and restrict outside actions accordingly.

• Test 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 a number of instances and examine your wheels for stowaways earlier than you begin the engine and take off.

• Present a makeshift enclosure for outside animals. In case you’ve seen outside cats or different animals in your group affected by the chilly (shaking, curled up, and so forth.) 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 facet, with straw or mylar blankets (cloth can maintain moisture and freeze over so we not suggest utilizing towels or blankets), will assist hold them protected 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 Finest Buddies.

• Or contemplate 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. When you have a canine with a brief coat, you’ll be able to hold 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 might truly make them chillier.

• Test paws. After outside exercise, examine 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 substances.

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

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