Pets are like family. They are social creatures with feelings. Like you, they feel pain, get hot, and cold. The winter time can be dangerous for your pets, and they count on you to care for them.
Dogs who are outside most of the time can become affected by the cold temperatures. Regardless of the, your dogs breed, age, and overall health, it is best to bring them indoors during cold weather. If you are not able to bring your dog inside, at the very least your dog’s shelter, should be above the ground, insulated, and include a flexible flap to prevent cold air from entering the housing. The Haven advocates for dogs and cats to be indoors and considered another member of your family. Only this member has fur and four legs.
If you have an outdoor, we encourage you to bring them indoors, too. Cats who live most of the time outdoors may not be able to catch and bring them inside where it is warm and safe from the cold temperatures. If this is the case, consider building a simple shelter. All you need is:
- One medium to large cardboard box large enough for a cat to stand up and turn around in. We recommend using a medium to a large storage bin, but a cardboard box will do if you cannot get your hands on a storage bin.
- Carefully cut a hole on the side of the box about the size of a 5×7-photo frame. You can always make the hole larger depending upon the size of your cat. However, you can’t make the hold smaller after you have made your cut.
- Create a flexible flap and attach to the entrance into the shelter. Materials used can be an old shower curtain or a towel. This is optional, as we have noticed some cats not entering their shelter due to the flap.
- Place one or more fluffy blankets inside your cat shelter. Make sure not to block the entrance into your shelter.
There are many other examples online for building your very own cat shelter for your outdoor kitty. Here is one thanks to Petfinder.com. If you prefer a step-by-step video with instructions, simply type “community cat shelter” on Youtube. And, don’t worry if you don’t see your cat enter the shelter right away. Just be sure to place the shelter in a location where the cat is familiar with and is accessible to your cat. You can also try to place some tasty food or kitty treats inside the shelter to entice your cat to enter the shelter and stay warm.
In short, pets are family, and the cold winter weather can be dangerous for your pets. Protect them this winter from the frigid temperatures by bringing them indoors and helping keep them warm and cozy.
Oh! And don’t forget to get your brand new, 50×60 Sherpa blanket. They are sure to keep you warm. These are high-quality, very soft and fluffy. We have red and black plaid and grey with black plaid. For a donation of $10 (sells in retail stores for upwards of $20) you can get yours for yourself, co-worker, friend, or even your four-legged best friend. The blankets are available while supplies last at The Haven located at 559 S. Section St. in Fairhope or The Haven ReSale Shop located at 357 Morphy Ave in Fairhope.