Urgent Message From PETA: Winter Storm Survival Tips for Animals in Casper and Cheyenne

For Immediate Release:
November 26, 2019

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Cheyenne, Wyo. –

As a winter storm warning is affecting the Cheyenne and Casper area because of Winter Storm Dorothy, animals––who can suffer from deadly frostbite and exposure, become dehydrated when water sources ice over, and die––are at risk. Last winter, there were at least 29 cold weather–related animal deaths—and those are just the ones that were reported. Most are not.

These are some of the dog deaths across the U.S. that were reported last year:

While responding to a complaint in Butler County, Ohio, the local dog warden found a German shepherd dead inside his doghouse. Although there were four bales of straw on the owners’ front porch, they hadn’t put any straw bedding in the doghouse.
In Hartford, Connecticut, officers responding to a complaint from a concerned neighbor found a chained pit bull mix who had died of hypothermia. He was also found inside his doghouse.
In Lynchburg, Virginia, an animal control officer performing a welfare check found a chained dog who had frozen to death inside his doghouse.

Keep animals indoors. Freezing temperatures spell extra hardship for “backyard dogs,” who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care. If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements and are unable to help, note their location and alert authorities immediately. (For information regarding what constitutes adequate shelter, click here.)

In cold weather, you can provide birds and other animals with access to water by filling a heavy nonmetal water bowl (tongues can freeze to metal) and breaking the surface ice twice a day. When weather improves, be sure to remove any food offerings to encourage animals to move on to warmer areas.

PETA has released a cold-weather PSA—voiced by Tom Hardy, Casey Affleck, and Priyanka Chopra—and this animated PSA, both of which urge viewers to bring dogs inside from the cold. For more information, visit PETA.org.