Even furry mutts get cold

You know how to keep yourself warm in extreme cold weather and you’ve learned how to protect your home. But what about your furry family members? With an Arctic freeze coming our way this week, it’s a good time to review the Austin Animal Center’s winter safety tips for pets. The tip at the top is the most critical yet often the most ignored: Bring them indoors. Dogs and cats left outside in freezing temps can suffer from hypothermia and get frostbite on their paws, ears and tails. If you see a dog left outside in the cold, contact an animal protection officer by calling 311. Another reminder is to bang the hood of your vehicle before starting it, to warn any cats who may be taking refuge in your warm engine block. And if you have community cats living in your neighborhood, help them out by providing shelter – here’s an easy DIY cat shelter made out of a plastic tub.