The National Weather Service in Upton, NY, has issued a blizzard warning for Long Island until 1 a.m. Friday. With the ongoing blizzard the Nassau County SPCA urges pet owners to keep their families and pets safe.
The most important thing pet owners should do is to bring their pets indoors, if conditions are unsafe for humans, they are also unsafe for pets.
Always bring pets, indoors, including outdoor cats, at the first sign or warning of a storm. A snow storm is no place a pet.
Don’t let your dog off the leash after heavy snowfall. Dogs can lose their scent during winter storms and easily become lost. Make sure all pets wear collars and tags with up-to-date identification. Deep snow cover can confuse a pet and cover their familiar scent landmarks. It is easier, and more dangerous, for your pet to be lost in snowy weather so keep an eye on them at all times when outdoors.
Prepare for a power outage, especially if your family includes fish, reptiles or pocket pet.
Keep a pet emergency kit and supplies handy with items such as medical records, water, pet food and medications, and pet first aid supplies.
Clean off your dog’s paws with a moist washcloth after going outside. Snow-melting salt can be very painful to dogs’ feet and can make them ill when ingested.
Have a coat and booties ready for any dog that needs them. Be ready to protect your pets from very strong wind and cold.
The Nassau County SPCA Pet Safe urges pet owners to develop an emergency plan that accounts for the safety of their animals and to stay up to date on storm warnings in their area. Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of evacuation. Do not leave your pets behind.
To Report Animal Cruelty call 516-THE-SPCA, email crueltystoppers@ncspca.us or visit www.nassaucountyspca.org.
Located in Nassau County, New York, The Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization originally designed to protect animals in the county from abuse and neglect, and to provide basic welfare. The NCSPCA is a volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue, care and placement of needy animals. The society is run entirely by unpaid volunteers and its operations have been historically funded through contributions solicited from the public and through corporate grants.
