Companion Animals Are Dying in Cold Weather—These Are the Reported Cases
Last updated on February 21, 2025:
The number of dogs and other companion animals who have reportedly died from causes related to cold weather during the 2024-2025 winter season:
36
Another 489 animal companions have had to be rescued.
Every year, PETA receives reports about dogs, cats, and other animals who died or had to be rescued after being left outdoors in cold weather—and these are just the incidents that were reported. Most aren’t.
| Year | Deaths | Rescues | Incidents |
| 2025 | 30 | 414 | See the list. |
| 2024 | 36 | 617 | See the list. |
| 2023 | 13 | 644 | See the list. |
| 2022 | 35 | 364 | See the list. |
| 2021 | 22 | 475 | See the list. |
| 2020 | 6 | 77 | See the list. |
| 2019 | 37 | 322 | See the list. |
| 2018 | 43 | 34 | See the list. |
The following list is a compilation of cold weather–related deaths of companion animals reported by the media during 2025:
| Date | Location | Notes | Number of Dogs and Other Animals Who Died |
| 2/11/2025 | Franklin County, Kentucky | A dog died from hypothermia after being found in a tote behind a store. | 1 |
| 2/4/2025 | Alix, Alberta, Canada | An animal shelter took in 38 companion animals within 48 hours after temperatures dropped, including 12 cats. They also reported recovering about twelve dogs who had died in the cold. | 12 |
| 1/26/2025 | Harrison County, Kentucky | An emaciated dog died after being found freezing on the road. | 1 |
| 1/23/2025 | Chesapeake, Virginia | A dog died after falling through the ice at a pond. | 1 |
| 1/22/2025 | Detroit, Michigan | A dog froze to death after being left outside in the snow. | 1 |
| 1/22/2025 | Indianopolis, Indiana | Peaceful Souls Animal Rescue and Recovery reported that at least four dogs died after being left outside in subzero temperatures. | 4 |
| 1/21/2025 | Bartlett, Texas | Two dogs were rescued after being found outside in freezing temperatures without food or water. One dog did not survive. | 1 |
| 1/21/2025 | Detroit, Michigan | Detroit Dog Rescue convinced the owners of eight dogs to bring them inside amid freezing temperatures. Two other dogs were found outdoors—one had frozen to death, while the surviving dog refused to leave his companion’s side. | 1 |
| 1/21/2025 | Newton, Iowa | Two dogs were left in a home without food, water, or heat during freezing temperatures. One was rescued, while the other was found dead. | 1 |
| 1/16/2025 | Dayton, Ohio | Seven puppies were rescued after being abandoned in a crate outside a rescue during freezing temperatures. All the puppies were sick with parvovirus, and three of them did not survive. | 3 |
| 1/14/2025 | Dauphin County, Pennsylvania | Two dogs and a cat were found frozen to death in an abandoned home. | 3 |
| 1/4/2025 | Euclid, Ohio | An emaciated dog had to be euthanized after being found chained in a garage. The veterinarian attributed the death to starvation and prolonged exposure to a cold, dark space. | 1 |
The following list is a compilation of cold weather–related rescues of companion animals reported by the media during 2025:
| Date | Location | Notes | Number of Dogs and Other Animals Who Were Rescued |
| 2/19/2025 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Firefighters rescued a dog after he fell through the ice. | 1 |
| 2/19/2025 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Firefighters rescued a dog after she fell through the ice on a pond. | 1 |
| 2/11/2025 | Lake Station, Indiana | A dog was seen caged in the back of a speeding open trailer during freezing temperatures and was later rescued by police. | 1 |
| 2/10/2025 | Trenton, Michigan | Police rescued a dog who fell through the ice in a canal. | 1 |
| 2/8/2025 | Kalispell, Montana | Firefighters rescued a dog who fell through the ice in a lake. | 1 |
| 2/5/2025 | Ashland, Kentucky | A dog was rescued after being found outside in frigid temperatures, where he had been since his guardian died. | 1 |
| 2/5/2025 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | An animal shelter reported rescuing 211 companion animals left out in the cold. | 211 |
| 2/4/2025 | Alix, Alberta, Canada | An animal shelter took in 38 companion animals within 48 hours after temperatures dropped, including 12 cats. They also reported recovering about twelve dogs who had died in the cold. | 38 |
| 2/4/2025 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Firefighters rescued a dog that had fallen through ice on a golf course. | 1 |
| 2/2/2025 | Georgina, Ontario, Canada | A dog was rescued after being abandoned in a park, tied to a pole in freezing temperatures. | 1 |
| 2/2/2025 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Firefighters rescued a dog that had fallen through the ice of a pond. | 1 |
| 2/1/2025 | Stansbury Park, Utah | A dog and the dog’s guardian were rescued after falling through the ice on a lake. | 1 |
| 1/30/2025 | Gardiner , Maine | Firefighters rescued a dog that had fallen through the ice on a stream. | 1 |
| 1/29/2025 | Holts Summit, Missouri | A guardian rescued a dog using a kayak after the dog fell through the ice on a frozen lake. However, both the guardian and the dog had to be rescued by police when the kayak became stranded. | 1 |
| 1/28/2025 | Franklin County, Virginia | A dog was rescued after falling through the ice on a lake. | 1 |
| 1/27/2025 | New Castle, Pennsylvania | Firefighters rescued a dog that had been stranded on an ice floe in a creek. | 1 |
| 1/26/2025 | Ludlow, Massachusetts | A dog was rescued after being missing for six days in freezing temperatures. | 1 |
| 1/25/2025 | South Lake Tahoe, California | A dog was rescued after sliding down a frozen waterfall. | 1 |
| 1/25/2025 | Evanston, Illinois | Firefighters rescued two dogs from an ice shelf. | 2 |
| 1/25/2025 | Louisiana | An animal shelter in Salem, MA, rescued 37 cats impacted by the snowfall in Louisiana. | 37 |
| 1/23/2025 | Fort Wayne, Indiana | A cat was rescued after being abandoned in a backpack outside a shelter’s former location in frigid temperatures. | 1 |
| 1/23/2025 | Granville County, North Carolina | A dog was rescued after falling through the ice of a pond. | 1 |
| 1/23/2025 | Houston, Texas | Houston Animal Control and the SPCA reported that a civilian rescued a cat stranded on a roof amid freezing temperatures. They also responded to a complaint about dogs left outdoors in the snow and convinced the owners to bring them inside. | 3 |
| 1/22/2025 | Glenpool, Oklahoma | Firefighters rescued a dog that had fallen through the ice of a pond. | 1 |
| 1/22/2025 | Pueblo West, Colorado | A dog and their guardian were rescued after falling through the ice on a pond. | 1 |
| 1/22/2025 | Coaldale, Pennsylvania | A dog was rescued after being left outside during frigid temperatures. | 1 |
| 1/21/2025 | Dedham, Massachusetts | Dedham Animal Control reported multiple incidents of dogs being left in cars during freezing temperatures. | 3 |
| 1/21/2025 | Bartlett, Texas | Two dogs were rescued after being found outside in freezing temperatures without food or water. One dog did not survive. | 1 |
| 1/21/2025 | Detroit, Michigan | A rescuer saved five dogs that had been left chained outside in freezing temperatures. | 5 |
| 1/21/2025 | Newton, Iowa | Two dogs were left in a home without food, water, or heat during freezing temperatures. One was rescued, while the other was found dead. | 1 |
| 01/21/2025 | Caldwell, Texas | The Haven Animal Rescue of Texas reported placing twenty-nine dogs that lived outdoors into foster homes this winter. | 29 |
| 1/21/2025 | Old Bridge, New Jersey | A dog was rescued after being abandoned in a dumpster during freezing temperatures. | 1 |
| 1/21/2025 | Chester, New Jersey | Police rescued a dog that had fallen through the ice on a pond. | 1 |
| 1/21/2025 | Somerset County, New Jersey | Police rescued a dog that had fallen through the ice on a pond. | 1 |
| 1/21/2025 | Detroit, Michigan | Detroit Dog Rescue convinced the owners of thirteen dogs to bring them inside amid freezing temperatures. Two other dogs were found outdoors—one had frozen to death, while the surviving dog refused to leave his companion’s side. | 13 |
| 1/21/2025 | Florida | A couple rescued a stray cat after finding her outside in freezing temperatures. | 1 |
| 1/20/2025 | Cottonwood, Minnesota | A dog and his guardian were rescued from a vehicle after it broke through the ice on a lake. | 1 |
| 1/20/2025 | Ellicott City, Maryland | Firefighters rescued a dog that had fallen through the ice of a frozen pond. | 1 |
| 1/20/2025 | McKeesport, Pennsylvania | A cat was rescued after being found nearly frozen to death. | 1 |
| 1/20/2025 | Brownsville, Texas | A dog and her puppies were rescued after being found in the cold without shelter or adequate food and water. | 6 |
| 1/20/2025 | Auburn, Kansas | Police rescued two dogs that had fallen through the ice on a pond. | 2 |
| 1/20/2025 | Longmeadow, Massachusetts | Fire crews rescued a dog that was stranded on a frozen beaver dam. | 1 |
| 1/19/2025 | Genesee County, Michigan | A dog was rescued after being abandoned in a freezing porta-potty. | 1 |
| 1/16/2025 | Richmond, Virginia | A dog was rescued after being found tied to a pole in freezing weather. | 1 |
| 1/16/2025 | Greensboro, North Carolina | A pregnant dog was rescued after she was found wandering outdoors during freezing temperatures. | 1 |
| 1/16/2025 | Dayton, Ohio | Seven puppies were rescued after being abandoned in a crate outside a rescue during freezing temperatures. All the puppies were sick with parvovirus, and three of them did not survive. | 4 |
| 1/14/2025 | Gardiner, Maine | Firefighters rescued a dog that had fallen through the ice of a stream. | 1 |
| 1/14/2025 | Wichita, Kansas | A dog was rescued after being found chained outside in the snow with their mouth duct-taped shut. | 1 |
| 1/12/2025 | Springfield, Missouri | The Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team rescued a dog and his guardian after they fell through the ice on a pond. | 1 |
| 1/12/2025 | Wellesley, Massachusetts | Firefighters rescued a dog and his guardian after they fell through the ice on a lake. The dog was treated for hypothermia and is expected to make a full recovery. | 1 |
| 1/12/2025 | Loudoun County, Virginia | First responders rescued a dog that had fallen through the ice on a reservoir. | 1 |
| 1/10/2025 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | An injured cat was rescued after being abandoned in a box outside a shelter during freezing temperatures. | 1 |
| 1/10/2025 | Roseland, New Jersey | Police rescued a puppy tied to a guardrail that had his mouth shut with a string, broken bones, and ice clinging to the dog’s fur. | 1 |
| 1/10/2025 | Berlin, Vermont | A man rescued a dog drowning in an icy river. | 1 |
| 1/9/2025 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Fire crews rescued a dog after she fell through the ice on a pond. | 1 |
| 1/8/2025 | Highspire, Pennsylvania | A mail carrier rescued a dog whose hind legs were trapped beneath the ice in a creek. | 1 |
| 1/7/2025 | Palmetto, Georgia | Police rescued a mother dog and her eight newborn puppies as she gave birth beneath a home in freezing temperatures. | 9 |
| 1/7/2025 | Louisville, Kentucky | A dog was rescued after being abandoned outdoors the day following a snowstorm. | 1 |
| 1/7/2025 | St. Louis, Missouri | A dog was rescued after being found shivering outside with bleeding paws due to the ice and cold. | 1 |
| 1/6/2025 | Rye, New York | Firefighters rescued a dog trapped in an icy pond. | 1 |
| 1/6/2025 | Harper Woods, Michigan | A puppy suffering from a severe case of mange was rescued after being abandoned at the doorstep of a rescue organization in freezing temperatures. | 1 |
| 1/6/2025 | Erie, Pennsylvania | A dog, initially presumed dead, was rescued after being found outside in freezing temperatures. | 1 |
| 1/5/2025 | Kansas City, Missouri | A dog was rescued after being abandoned in a crate on a sidewalk during a snowstorm. | 1 |
| 1/5/2025 | Blackwood, New Jersey | Firefighters rescued two dogs and their guardians from a partially frozen creek. | 2 |
No animal should endure a cold weather–related death. It’s inexcusable.
As guardians, we must take these vital steps in order to protect our beloved animal family members:
1. Keep animals indoors.
Puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Dobermans, are particularly susceptible to the elements, but all animal companions should be kept warm and cozy indoors. Short-haired animals will also benefit from wearing warm sweaters or coats during brief trips outdoors.
2. Don’t allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors without supervision.
Being outside unattended is always dangerous for our animal companions, but cold weather poses even more risks. Cats can climb under the hoods of cars in order to get near warm engines and then be badly injured or killed when the vehicle is started.
3. Keep an eye out for strays.
If you see companion animals roaming the streets, bring them indoors until you can find their guardians, or take them to an animal shelter.
4. Clean dogs after they come in from the snow.
Salt and chemicals used to counter snow can make animals sick if they ingest them. Always clean off your dogs’ legs, paws, and stomach after they’ve been out in the snow. If you use antifreeze, buy a nontoxic brand like Sierra or Prestone LowTox.
5. If you see dogs left outdoors in extreme weather without proper shelter, alert the authorities.
Winter weather spells extra hardship for “backyard dogs,” who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, note their location and alert local authorities immediately.
6. Help all animals survive cold snaps.
During extreme winter conditions, you can provide birds and other wildlife 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 the weather improves, be sure to remove any food offerings in order to prevent the animals’ dependence on artificial feedings.
*****
Together, we can help drastically reduce the number of dogs and other animal companions who die in cold weather and even eliminate these tragedies altogether.
Animals are counting on us—as their guardians and as good Samaritans—to keep them safe. We can’t let them down.
Take Action Now
You can become an “Angel for Animals” by sponsoring a PETA doghouse. We provide lonely “outside dogs” with sturdy doghouses to shelter them in the rain and in the snow and freezing temperatures of winter. Click below to help:
Make sure that all your friends and family members know the potentially lifesaving cold-weather tips above:
Watch this video, listen to this radio clip, and check out this ad to learn more about the reasons why you should never leave a dog outside during cold weather.
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