Pets Are Vulnerable to Cold, Too

The Town of Southampton has asked residents to keep pets safe and warm indoors during these extreme weather conditions. Cold temperatures can be dangerous and even fatal to animals, which share a similar vulnerability to frostbite and hypothermia as humans. 

Other dangers include salt and ice melting pellets, which can be toxic to animals, and automotive anti-freeze, which can cause renal failure and death. Most area stores carry products that melt ice, but are not toxic to pets.

The town has shared some recommendations provided by the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals, which include: 





 Never leave pets in a car for any length of time



 Walk dogs only on a leash because roads can be dangerous in ice and snow conditions



 Keep pets away from fireplaces



 Never use a space heater which can be knocked over and cause a fire



 Keep tags on your pet. More dogs get lost in winter snow conditions.



 A dog in the county cannot be chained outside for more than two hours in any 12 hour period and no dog can be tethered for any length of time if the chain or tether:





 Is attached to a choke or pinch collar



 Has a collar that is embedded or may become embedded



 Has links that are more than 1/4 inch thick



 Has weights attached



 Is less than 10 feet in length



 Weighs more than 25 pounds or 1/4 of the dog’s weight



 Can become entangled



 The SPCA has further recommendations on its website.