Press Release

November 24, 2008
Halifax, NS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"Give Me Shelter"
SPCA Says It's Time to Take Your Pets Inside

With residents across Nova Scotia digging out from the first major storms of the year, the Nova Scotia SPCA urges pet owners to show compassion to family pets that are kept outside for long periods of time. The Society strongly recommends that people bring their dogs, cats and other domestic pets inside during extreme temperatures and weather conditions.

“We have already received several calls this winter of dogs tied outside in the cold,” says Roger Joyce, Chief Provincial Investigator for the Nova Scotia SPCA’s cruelty investigations unit. “People need to understand that most breeds of dogs cannot handle cold temperatures and to let them suffer outside for long periods during freezing winter weather amounts to animal cruelty under provincial legislation. Providing your pet with appropriate shelter and care is a 24-hour a day, 7-day a week requirement,” Joyce says.

A case in point is Jane, a small breed dog who was found by an SPCA Special Constable in Kings County on a -42oC winter day in February 2007. Jane, pictured below, was showing signs of extreme distress. She was holding her frozen paws up off the ground and had to keep moving to avoid freezing to death. Her matted fur was caked with balsam fir from trees. Once examined by a veterinarian, Jane was found to have a serious bladder infection and had developed stones that weighed six ounces each. The veterinarian who treated Jane indicated the stones would have taken two years to grow that large, evidence of the length of time Jane was neglected.

Jane When She was Found	Stones Removed from Jan

What is particularly sad about Jane’s case is that nobody called the SPCA to report her neglect and distress, despite it being a freezing cold day when the media were warning people and pets to stay inside. It was only by coincidence that Jane was found by an SPCA Special Constable. “If you see an animal in distress anywhere in Nova Scotia, we urge you to call our toll-free cruelty line at 1-888-703-7722 to file a compliant,” says Joyce. “While the SPCA has as its motto ‘speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves,’ animal welfare is a community issue and we need the help and support of people in their local areas to speak up for animals like Jane,” Joyce continues.

Today Jane, pictured below, has found a better life with her new adopted family, but many dogs like Jane are not as lucky.

Jane Today

Cats, kittens, puppies, small breeds of dogs such as Shih Tzus and Pomeranians, and short-hair dog breeds such as Rottweilers, Bulldogs, Beagles and wire-hair Terriers are particularly susceptible to pain and discomfort in cold climates. Cats, kittens and puppies under six months of age do not have the body mass to keep warm in cold temperatures. If owners permit their cats to go outdoors in the winter, it should only be for short periods, and never overnight.

Animals that are outside for more than 20-minute periods at any time of the year should be provided with suitable shelter, care and attention. If dogs or cats cannot be taken inside their owner’s home, they must be provided with another form of shelter. The SPCA provides information on their website about what is required for dog and cat houses to ensure the shelter is adequate. The dog or cat house should be:

• Up against the humans’ home, not out in the middle of nowhere
• Made of wood or other weatherproof materials
• Set up off the ground a few inches
• Facing way from prevailing winds
• Located in a shady spot in the summer
• Insulated with at least three inches of material and filled with a type of bedding
• Equipped with a door flap to keep out wind and snow in the winter
• Large enough that the dog or cat can stand up, turn around and lie down

Pet owners must make sure their dogs and cats:

• Have fresh water in a tip-proof, non-metal dish that is replenished if it freezes or spills
• Are properly fed
• Are kept in good health
• If restrained, are done so by a chain or rope that is at least 20 feet long and cannot get tangled around objects or trees and bushes
• Are not left outside for more than 20 minutes without shelter during cold or poor weather

The Nova Scotia SPCA also reminds pet owners to never leave an animal in an unheated car for long periods of time. Also, cats often crawl under car hoods to find warmth in the winter, and can be injured or killed by a starting motor. Knocking on the car hood before starting the engine can help scare any cats away.

Staff and officials from the Nova Scotia SPCA are available for interviews and commentary related to pets and cold weather. We urge the media to help us get this important message out for the sake of animals across the province. For more information or to arrange an interview or public service feature, please contact Sean Kelly and Mary Hill at media@spcans.ca. High resolution digital photos of Jane are also available upon request for use in media coverage.