13 Companion Animals Endured Cold Weather-Related Deaths in 2023—That We Know Of
The number of dogs and other companion animals who have reportedly died from causes related to cold weather in 2023:
13
Every year, PETA receives reports about dogs, cats, and other animals who have died after being left outdoors in cold weather. In 2023 alone, 13 companion animals died because of cold weather—and those are just the deaths that were reported. Most aren’t.
| Year | Deaths | Rescues | Incidents |
| 2024 | 35 | 582 | 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 as of 2023:
| Date | Location | Notes | Number of Dogs and Other Animals Who Died |
| 12/28/2023 | Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada | Four puppies were found alive after seven had been dumped in a frigid river. | 3 |
| 12/21/23 | Cantril, Iowa | Six puppies died from the cold during an ongoing investigation into a breeder. | 6 |
| 11/29/2023 | Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey | Three puppies were abandoned in the cold woods, and one of them died. | 1 |
| 11/22/2023 | Toledo, Ohio | A dog was found dead in a crate after having been left outside at a park in cold, rainy weather. | 1 |
| 1/24/2023 | Kansas City, Missouri | Two dogs were found frozen in a home during an eviction. One was still barely alive. | 1 |
| 1/8/2023 | Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond. Another dog fell through the ice and wasn’t recovered. | 1 |
The following list is a compilation of cold weather–related rescues of companion animals reported by the media as of 2023:
| Date | Location | Notes | Number of Dogs and Other Animals Who Were Rescued |
| 12/31/2023 | Silverdale, Washington | A dog rescued from the cold outside a Taco Bell restaurant is now working for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. | 1 |
| 12/29/2023 | Bountiful, Utah | After being missing for almost two weeks, a dog was found by a hiker. | 1 |
| 12/28/2023 | New York | A cat was rescued from the cold rain after “knocking” on an apartment building door for two days. | 1 |
| 12/18/2023 | Denver, Colorado | A cat was healing from hypothermia after being missing for 23 days in the cold. | 1 |
| 11/25/2023 | New York, New York | Twenty-one cats were found in a van on a freezing-cold morning. | 21 |
| 11/25/2023 | Green Lake Township, Minnesota | A dog was rescued from a frigid lake after falling through thin ice. | 1 |
| 12/24/2023 | Tacoma, Washington | A hypothermic dog was found on a front porch on Christmas Eve. | 1 |
| 11/24/2023 | Vail, Colorado | A dog was found after getting lost after a car crash and spending 50 hours in the cold. | 1 |
| 11/22/2023 | Lancaster County, Pennsylvania | A visually impaired cat was found outside in the cold. | 1 |
| 12/21/2023 | River Rouge, Michigan | Four kittens who had been abandoned in a park were rescued from the cold. | 4 |
| 12/21/2023 | West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada | A cat was rescued from a tree after spending the night in the cold rain. | 1 |
| 12/18/2023 | Ogema Township, Minnesota | A woman and her dog were found after getting lost in the woods during subzero temperatures overnight. | 1 |
| 12/16/2023 | Armstrong County, Pennsylvania | Thirty dogs were rescued from a farm, where they lived in squalor and without proper insulation. | 30 |
| 12/16/2023 | Monett, Missouri | Two shivering dogs were rescued after falling into a wastewater pond. | 2 |
| 12/14/2023 | Malden, Massachusetts | A dog with a 13-pound tumor was found tied to a pole in the cold. | 1 |
| 12/12/2023 | Indianapolis, Indiana | A family of six cats and a lonely kitten were rescued from the cold. | 7 |
| 12/7/2023 | Boxford, Massachusetts | A dog was rescued after getting stuck on thin ice on a pond. | 1 |
| 12/7/2023 | Duluth, Minnesota | A dog was rescued from 8-foot waves after jumping into Lake Superior. | 1 |
| 12/6/2023 | Wenatchee, Washington | A dog was rescued from an icy swimming pool. | 1 |
| 12/5/2023 | South Euclid, Ohio | A cold dog was rescued after getting stuck in a ravine. | 1 |
| 12/3/2023 | Anoka County, Minnesota | Two anglers and their dog were rescued after falling through the ice on a lake. | 1 |
| 11/30/2023 | Carmel, Indiana | A dog was rescued by firefighters after falling through thin ice on a pond. | 1 |
| 11/29/2023 | Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey | Three puppies were abandoned in the cold woods, and one of them died. | 2 |
| 11/18/2023 | Elk County, Pennsylvania | A hiker and his dog were rescued after spending a night outside in the cold. | 1 |
| 11/17/2023 | Berkley, Massachusetts | A kitten was found outside with a body temperature 7 degrees below normal. | 1 |
| 11/16/2023 | Frisco, Colorado | A dog was rescued after falling through the ice on a pond at a golf course. | 1 |
| 11/15/2023 | San Antonio, Texas | A wet and shivering puppy was rescued from a storm drain. | 1 |
| 11/15/2023 | New York, New York | A family of cats was rescued from the cold after being abandoned in a sealed plastic tub. | 8 |
| 11/12/2023 | Brookfield, Connecticut | A dog chasing a fox got stranded across a river and was rescued by a dive team. | 1 |
| 11/9/2023 | Othello, Washington | A dog was rescued from a cold Walmart parking lot. | 1 |
| 11/4/2023 | Somerset, Wisconsin | An animal rescue group’s annual “out of the cold” project turned up many more animals living outside in the cold than usual. | 420 rescues (400 dogs, 20 cats) |
| 10/31/2023 | Hendricks County, Indiana | A shivering dog was rescued from a parking lot after being chained to a car. | 1 |
| 10/31/2023 | Queens, New York | A blind dog was rescued from a frigid pond. | 1 |
| 10/29/2023 | Custar, Ohio | A senior dog was found after being abandoned outside a feline rescue facility. | 1 |
| 10/27/2023 | Tacoma, Washington | Two dogs, one of whom was suffering from hypothermia, were rescued from freezing temperatures outside. | 2 |
| 10/8/2023 | Chicago, Illinois | A shivering kitten was rescued by a runner during a marathon. | 1 |
| 10/7/2023 | Mission, British Columbia, Canada | A dog was abandoned in a crate outside an animal sanctuary in the cold rain. | 1 |
| 9/19/2023 | Islandia, New York | Two kittens were rescued from a parking lot on a cold, rainy day. | 2 |
| 5/3/2023 | Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada | Firefighters rescued a dog stuck on the ice of a lake. | 1 |
| 5/1/2023 | Lower Frankford Township, Pennsylvania | A malnourished dog was brought to an animal shelter after being found “ice cold” and anemic outside. | 1 |
| 4/25/2023 | Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Firefighters rescued a dog and their guardian from an icy lake. | 1 |
| 4/25/2023 | Leavenworth, Washington | Firefighters rescued a dog from a “frigid” creek. | 1 |
| 4/16/2023 | Okotoks, Alberta, Canada | A guardian saved their dog from an unused septic tank full of cold water. | 1 |
| 4/15/2023 | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | A cat was found with serious frostbite injuries after getting stuck in a van in the cold. | 1 |
| 4/13/2023 | Chisago County, Minnesota | Neighbors and sheriff’s deputies helped a mother and daughter rescue a dog who had fallen into an icy lake. | 1 |
| 4/13/2023 | Coos County, Oregon | Sheriff’s deputies rescued two dogs and their guardian after their vehicle got stuck in the snow overnight. | 2 |
| 4/11/2023 | Big Lake, Minnesota | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen lake. | 1 |
| 4/8/2023 | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen body of water. | 1 |
| 4/2/2023 | Schoharie County, New York | A dog was rescued from a partially frozen pond. | 1 |
| 3/30/2023 | Powell River, British Columbia, Canada | A dog and two men were rescued from frigid water after their boat capsized. | 1 |
| 3/29/2023 | Rumson, New Jersey | A teenager rescued a dog from a cold river. | 1 |
| 3/27/2023 | Westerlo, New York | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond. | 1 |
| 3/26/2023 | Alna, Maine | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond. | 1 |
| 3/26/2023 | Lee Township, Michigan | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen body of water. | 1 |
| 3/22/2023 | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | Four puppies were rescued after being abandoned in a rural area in freezing temperatures. | 4 |
| 3/20/2023 | Calumet, Wisconsin | Firefighters rescued a dog and their guardian from a partially frozen pond. | 1 |
| 3/15/2023 | Walterboro, South Carolina | Firefighters rescued a dog from a cold pond. | 1 |
| 3/15/2023 | San Bernardino, California | Firefighters rescued two dogs who were stranded on a snow-covered rooftop and reunited them with their guardian. | 2 |
| 3/13/2023 | Throop, New York | Firefighters rescued a dog who had gone missing in cold temperatures. | 1 |
| 3/12/2023 | Kingston, Ontario, Canada | Firefighters rescued a dog and their guardian from a partially frozen body of water. | 1 |
| 3/12/2023 | Missoula, Montana | Firefighters and ice climbers rescued a dog who was stuck on a cliff surrounded by ice. | 1 |
| 3/10/2023 | Detroit, Michigan | A dog was rescued after being abandoned in the snow on the side of a freeway. | 1 |
| 3/8/2023 | Hardwick, Massachusetts | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond. | 1 |
| 3/7/2023 | Muskegon Heights, Michigan | Firefighters rescued a dog who had fallen from 10 feet onto a frozen body of water. | 1 |
| 3/6/2023 | Alpena, Michigan | Firefighters rescued a dog and their guardian from a partially frozen river. | 1 |
| 3/5/2023 | Raymond, Wisconsin | First responders rescued two dogs and their guardian from a partially frozen pond. | 2 |
| 3/3/2023 | Cairo, New York | A good Samaritan and first responders rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond. | 1 |
| 3/2/2023 | Kittery, Maine | Firefighters rescued two dogs from a partially frozen pond. | 2 |
| 2/28/2023 | Thornton, Colorado | Firefighters rescued two dogs from a partially frozen lake. | 2 |
| 2/27/2023 | Douglas, Massachusetts | Firefighters rescued two dogs from a partially frozen pond. | 2 |
| 2/25/2023 | Sagadahoc County, Maine | A sheriff’s deputy rescued a nearly frozen dog from a ditch. | 1 |
| 2/24/2023 | Portland, Oregon | A police officer rescued a dog who was trapped underneath a dock in a cold river. | 1 |
| 2/23/2023 | Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada | A cat was rescued after being found nearly frozen in the snow on the side of a road. | 1 |
| 2/17/2023 | Denver, Colorado | A man rescued a dog who had fallen through the ice while chasing geese at Sloan’s Lake. | 1 |
| 2/17/2023 | Kansas City, Missouri | A dog was rescued after being found unconscious and covered with semi-frozen feces inside a cold wire crate. | 1 |
| 2/17/2023 | Libertyville, Illinois | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond. | 1 |
| 2/16/2023 | Lakewood, New York | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen lake. | 1 |
| 2/15/2023 | Moffat County, Colorado | Stranded motorists and a dog were rescued during a blizzard. | 1 |
| 2/14/2023 | Lawrence, Massachusetts | A man was facing a charge of cruelty to animals after allegedly beating a kitten then abandoning her in the cold outside a gas station. | 1 |
| 2/14/2023 | Portage, Michigan | A dog was rescued by his guardian after falling through a partially frozen lake. | 1 |
| 2/11/2023 | Adams County, Colorado | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen reservoir. | 1 |
| 2/9/2023 | Macomb County, Michigan | A cat was rescued after being found frozen to the ground at a construction site. | 1 |
| 2/9/2023 | Danvers, Massachusetts | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen reservoir. | 1 |
| 2/7/2023 | Scituate, Rhode Island | A dog was rescued after being abandoned inside a crate in a cemetery in below-freezing temperatures. | 1 |
| 2/7/2023 | Waterford, Ontario, Canada | A dehydrated and emaciated dog was found abandoned in frigid temperatures. | 1 |
| 2/6/2023 | Gardiner, New York | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen river. | 1 |
| 2/6/2023 | Kenyon, Minnesota | A good Samaritan rescued a cat who was frozen to the ground. | 1 |
| 2/6/2023 | LaGrange, New York | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen body of water. | 1 |
| 2/6/2023 | Lenexa, Kansas | A dog was rescued after falling through a partially frozen lake. | 1 |
| 2/5/2023 | Williamsport, Pennsylvania | A dog was abandoned in a crate at the edge of a parking lot in below-freezing temperatures. | 1 |
| 2/4/2023 | Louisdale, Nova Scotia, Canada | A man was charged with cruelty to animals after he allegedly left his dog tied up outside in the snow. | 1 |
| 2/4/2023 | Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada | An emaciated, pregnant dog was rescued after being found chained to a basement wall in freezing temperatures. | 1 |
| 2/4/2023 | Dickinson County, Iowa | Good Samaritans rescued a dog and their guardian after their car fell through the ice on a partially frozen lake. | 1 |
| 2/4/2023 | Wareham, Massachusetts | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond. | 1 |
| 2/3/2023 | Mohawk, New York | A dog was rescued after being abandoned outside an animal shelter in subzero temperatures. | 1 |
| 2/2/2023 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | A dog was tied to the door of an animal shelter in freezing temperatures. | 1 |
| 2/2/2023 | Arvada, Colorado | Firefighters rescued a dog and their guardian from a partially frozen lake. | 1 |
| 2/2/2023 | Yavapai County, Arizona | A dog and their guardians were rescued after spending two nights in their truck, which had gotten stuck in ice and snow. | 1 |
| 2/1/2023 | Temple, Texas | A 10-year-old boy rescued a dog who was tied to a broken tree limb after a winter storm. | 1 |
| 2/1/2023 | East Haven, Connecticut | A homeless man and his dog were rescued from the cold. | 1 |
| 1/31/2023 | Dallas, Texas | Animal control officers rescued a dog who was outside in freezing temperatures without shelter or drinkable water. | 1 |
| 1/27/2023 | Wayne Township, Pennsylvania | A dog survived being shot three times and tied up outside in freezing temperatures. | 1 |
| 1/27/2023 | Berne, New York | First responders rescued a dog from a partially frozen lake. | 1 |
| 1/27/2023 | Muskegon, Michigan | A stray dog and her puppy were rescued from the cold. | 2 |
| 1/24/2023 | Kansas City, Missouri | Two dogs were found frozen in a home during an eviction. One was still barely alive. | 1 |
| 1/24/2023 | Belmont, New Hampshire | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen lake. | 1 |
| 1/19/2023 | Point Pleasant, New Jersey | A good Samaritan and first responders rescued a dog from a frigid lagoon. | 1 |
| 1/17/2023 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Police and firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen river. | 1 |
| 1/15/2023 | Omaha, Nebraska | A dog and their guardian were rescued from a cold, muddy lake. | 1 |
| 11/10/2023 | Clearwater, British Columbia, Canada | Fifteen neglected and emaciated dogs were seized from a property after being left in subzero temperatures without food or water. | 15 |
| 1/10/2023 | Pueblo, Colorado | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen lake. | 1 |
| 1/8/2023 | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | A dog and her guardian were rescued after falling into a partially frozen river. | 1 |
| 1/8/2023 | Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond. Another dog fell through the ice and wasn’t recovered. | 1 |
| 1/7/2023 | Rutherford County, North Carolina | Three puppies were found cold and hungry in the woods. | 3 |
| 1/5/2023 | Danville, Vermont | Firefighters rescued a dog, their guardian, and an attempted rescuer from a partially frozen pond. | 1 |
| 1/5/2023 | Canterbury, New Hampshire | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond. | 1 |
| 1/3/2023 | Lebanon, Maine | A good Samaritan rescued a dog from a partially frozen river. | 1 |
| 1/3/2023 | Wichita, Kansas | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen river. | 1 |
| 1/2/2023 | Pike Creek, Delaware | A dog and their guardian were rescued from a partially frozen pond. | 1 |
| 1/2/2023 | Cabery, Illinois | Firefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond. | 1 |
| 1/1/2023 | Fargo, North Dakota | A kitten was rescued after being found frozen to the ground. | 1 |
| 1/1/2023 | West Fargo, North Dakota | A dog was rescued after falling into a partially frozen river. | 1 |
| 1/1/2023 | Lac-Beauport, Québec, Canada | A dog was rescued from a partially frozen lake. | 1 |
| 1/1/2023 | Burlington, Wyoming | An injured kitten suffering from frostbite was rescued after being found in the cold. | 1 |
| 1/1/2023 | North Platte, Nebraska | Divers rescued a dog from a partially frozen lake. | 1 |
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.
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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.
