LASD - Altadena Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff

Jim McDonnell, Sheriff

Community: Cold weather forecast, protect your pets from the cold.

Pets are happiest and healthiest when kept indoors, especially during extreme cold.
Make sure your four-footed family members stay safe and warm during this cold weather, it is a crime not to protect them.
Keep your pets inside with you and your family. Under no circumstances should pet cats be left outdoors, even if they roam outside during other seasons. Don't leave pets outdoors when the temperature drops.
If your dog is outdoors much of the day for any reason, they must be protected by a dry, draft-free shelter that is large enough to allow them to move comfortably, but small enough to hold in body heat.
The floor should be raised a few inches from the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.
Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. Routinely check your pet's water dish to make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen.

Bundle up, wipe down.
No matter what the temperature is, windchill can threaten a pet's life. Exposed skin on noses, ears and paw pads are at risk for frostbite and hypothermia during extreme cold snaps. For this reason, short-haired dogs often feel more comfortable wearing a sweater — even during short walks.
Vehicles.
Cars are one of many hazards to small animals — warm engines in parked cars attract cats and small wildlife, who may crawl up under the hood. To avoid injuring any hidden animals, bang on your car's hood to scare them away before starting your engine.
Horses.
Be sure horses have access to a barn or a three-sided run-in so they can escape the wind and cold. While not all horses will need to be blanketed, blankets will help horses keep warm and dry, especially if there is any rain or cold wind. If you’ve body-clipped your horses, keep them blanketed throughout the winter.
Speak up.
If you encounter a pet left in the cold, politely let the owner know you're concerned. Some people genuinely don’t know the risk that cold weather poses to their pets. If someone you raise these concerns with responds poorly or continues to neglect their animals, Please call the Pasadena Humane Society, call 626.792.7151 anytime, or http://pasadenahumane.org/animal-control
For full details, view this message on the web.